Michael Grego

The Bob Cole Conservatory is once again mourning for the loss of a wonderful colleague. Michael Grego, a former clarinet instructor at the Conservatory, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023. Michael was a beloved clarinet teacher for many, many years and had a lasting positive impact on many of our students. His kind nature and his enthusiastic musical spirit will truly be missed. Michael’s wife Michele is also an admired bassoon instructor here. Our hearts are broken, our thoughts and condolences go to Michele and her wonderful family.

Principal Clarinetist Michael Grego worked extensively as an orchestral musician, soloist, and chamber musician. He performed as a soloist with the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra and was a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale Orchestra. He also performed regularly with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Long Beach Symphony and played in orchestras under the baton of Simon Rattle, Andre Previn, Lorin Mazel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Placido Domingo, Gustavo Dudamel, and Pierre Boulez.

Michael performed in Europe, Canada, Brazil, Japan, and throughout the U.S. He also appeared as a guest artist chamber musician at the Ojai Festival with the California EAR Unit, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Berlin Festwochen, and the Martha Vineyard Chamber Music Festival.

In addition to performing in numerous musical theater productions at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles, Mr. Grego was active in the recording industry, playing for various films, commercials, and television shows. He played on Grammy-nominated recordings by the LA Master Chorale and Grammy-winning albums with the LA Opera.

Michael attended the Music Academy of the West for two summers, where he studied with his principal teacher, Mitchell Lurie.