MARK DOVER, CLARINET
Grammy-nominated clarinetist Mark Dover is a man of many horns, maintaining firm roots in classical music while ever-expanding into the vast world of improvised music.
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mark was privileged to grow up in a town with a strong commitment to arts education, and with parents who were passionate about the arts.
In addition to performing with Imani Winds, Mark is the clarinetist with Manhattan Chamber Players, who he tours with regularly. He has performed with the Detroit Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra at Kent Blossom Music Festival, The Knights, Nu Deco Ensemble, New World Symphony, The Spoleto Festival, Pacific Music Festival, and many other orchestras and festivals throughout the country.
Mark is on the clarinet faculty at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, and Queens College, CUNY. He joined the chamber music faculty at Curtis Institute of Music in 2021. He has conducted master classes at numerous academic institutions throughout the country, such as University of Michigan, Manhattan School of Music and the University of Texas at Austin.
In addition to his work in the classical world, Mark has an extensive background in jazz and improvised music. He formed the multi-genre duo Port Mande with pianist/producer Jeremy Jordan in 2017. Their debut EP “Is This Loss?” was released in July of 2020. A frequent collaborator with American funk band, Vulfpeck, Mark was featured as a performer and arranger on their highly acclaimed album “Thrill of the Arts,” and in 2019, played to a sold-out Madison Square Garden. He has performed and/or recorded with musicians of many different genres, including Jason Moran, Alicia Moran, Edward Simon, Brian Blade, Scott Colley, David Binney, Bernard Purdie, Cyrille Aimée, Lawrence, Darren Criss, Theo Katzman, Joey Dosik, Dave Malloy, Phillipa Soo, Kris Bowers, Michael Thurber, Charles Yang and many more.
A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, Mark received his Masters of Music from the Manhattan School of Music and his Bachelor of Music from the University of Michigan. His most influential teachers include David Krakauer, Deborah Chodacki, and Jay DeVries. He lives in New York City with his wife, soprano Faylotte Crayton, and his 3 year old daughter Lulu.