Mikko Raasakka studied the clarinet at the Conservatory of Besancon (France) and at the Sibelius Academy. He was the first clarinetist to earn a doctorate in music from the Sibelius Academy in 2005. He is a leading performer in the contemporary music field and collaborates frequently with Finnish composers. He has also introduced a new instrument to the classical music field, the liru folk clarinet. He has performed as a soloist with several Finnish orchestras. As a chamber musician, he has played in Finland, Estonia, Russia, Germany, France, Spain and Canada. He also makes regular recordings for the Finnish Broadcasting Company. He is the author of a book on contemporary clarinet technique.
Gregory Barrett is associate professor of clarinet at NIU. A master teacher as well as performer, he has performed and taught in the United States, Australia, China, Denmark, Finland, and Japan, and in Vienna’s Musikverein. He has organized Clarinet Cornucopia since it began in 2002.
Patrick Sheehan had one of his first arrangements premiered at the 2009 Clarinet Cornucopia. Patrick has been an arranger, conductor, and ensemble performer for the clarinet choirs in the past years of this festival.
Christopher Renk received his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College in Minnesota where he studied composition with Timothy Mahr, Peter Hamlin and Justin Merritt. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in composition at Indiana University. Chris' major interests include opera, American music, computer music, and music for winds.