Dr. Ian Tyson is a New York City clarinetist. He is a founding member of Trio 212 (a reed trio based in New York City), was a clarinetist with the United States Air Force bands, and was most recently an Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Fellow. A champion of new music, Dr. Tyson commissioned Crystal Cathedral from composer Leanna Primiani, and performed it at the International Clarinet Association’s 2018 ClarinetFest in Ostend, Belgium. He has performed with orchestras, chamber groups, and given solo recitals in such prestigious venues as The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and Merkin Concert Hall.

A dedicated pedagogue, Dr. Tyson is faculty at Vassar College, Bard College Conservatory of Music Preparatory Division, Special Music School, New York Conservatory of Music and Arts, and also maintains a substantial private clarinet studio. He has performed and given master classes throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Africa. As a teaching artist with Daraja Music Initiative, Dr. Tyson works in Tanzania teaching students to play the clarinet and helping to conserve the African Blackwood tree.

Dr. Tyson received a DMA from Stony Brook University, MM from Michigan State University, and BM from Miami University (OH). His principal teachers include Alan Kay, Anthony McGill, Frank Ell, and Michele Gingras.