Award-winning Macedonian clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski has enchanted audiences with his enthusiasm and virtuosity, combining the spirit of folk music with the discipline of classical music. Born in Bitola, Macedonia, he started playing the clarinet at age nine, attending primary school and high school in his city of birth. His first appearance as a soloist was with the Macedonian Philharmonic at the age of 13, playing the Weber Concertino, with his U.S. debut taking place in 2002 in a performance of Weber’s First Clarinet Concerto with The World Symphony Orchestra in Interlochen, Michigan. To date, one of his career highlights is the New York debut in 2008 of the Elliot Carter Clarinet Concerto with musicians from The New Julliard Ensemble and Lucerne Festival Academy with Maestro Pierre Boulez conducting. Mr. Lumanovski is the winner of numerous competitions, including 1st prize of the 23rd, 24th, and 25th Clarinet Competition of Macedonia, The Julliard Clarinet Concerto Competition, the International Young Artist Competition in Bulgaria, the National Folk Music Competition in Macedonia, and 2nd prize in the Andreas Makris Clarinet Competition in Colorado. In addition, He received the “Fine Arts Award” twice at the Interlochen Arts Academy. He is a lead performer with the New York Gypsy All-Stars, playing to sold-out audiences in New York City and across the country. Mr. Lumanovski earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from The Julliard School and is currently a Masters degree student of Charles Neidich and Ayako Oshima.