At the age of 17, Max Arakaki made his debut as a soloist with the Pacific Music Institute Symphony Orchestra. Shortly after, he became the first clarinetist to win the Kamuela Philharmonic`s Youth Concerto Competition, performing Mozart`s Clarinet Concerto. In 2019, Mr. Arakaki won second place at the Lamont School of Music Honors Concerto Competition, performing Carl Maria von Weber’s Concerto No.1 in F minor with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra.

 

As an orchestral musician, Mr. Arakaki has performed with the Louisiana Philharmonic and New Texas Sinfonia, and has attended summer music festivals including Aspen Music Festival and School, Music Academy of the West, Miami Classical Music Festival, Domaine Forget International Music Festival, Brevard Music Center, and Interlochen Arts Camp.

 

An advocate for music education, Mr. Arakaki maintains a private studio teaching clarinet lessons and serves as a clinician for band programs at public schools in his hometown of Kailua. He also serves as a faculty member for the Hawaii ClariFest, a weeklong music program geared towards aspiring clarinetists in grades 8-12.

 

Mr. Arakaki received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Denver, and his Master of Music degree from Rice University. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Eta Psi Chapter, and is also a recipient of the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award. His primary teachers include Lynne Nakaura, Jeremy Reynolds, Richie Hawley, and Michael Rusinek. He has performed in masterclasses by acclaimed clarinetists such as Joaquin Valdepeñas, Jonathan Gunn, Yehuda Gilad, Pascual Martinez-Forteza, Stephen Williamson, Romaine Guyot, Walter Seyfarth, Mark Nuccio, David Shiffrin, Jason Shafer, and James Moffitt.

 

Mr. Arakaki can be heard on Remi Inari’s recently released album, “if you believe in the shadow…” premiering Can’t Trust Anybody, based on the work of Ryuunosuke Akutagawa. When he is not performing or teaching, Mr. Arakaki enjoys cooking and bouldering.