About.

Elizandro Garcia Montoya is an active clarinetist and teacher in Chicago. A versatile musician, Elizandro is principal clarinetist of the Elmhurst Symphony and a member of the Chicago Philharmonic. He is the former principal clarinet of the Sarasota Opera, the State of Mexico Orchestra and Mineria Symphony Orchestra in Mexico City. Elizandro has been a substitute with the Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Houston Grand Opera and held a bass clarinet position with the Jacksonville Symphony.

A silver prize winner in the 1999 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Elizandro continues to pursue his chamber music career. He has played chamber concerts with Fifth House Ensemble, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Chicago Ensemble, Pilgrim Chamber Players and the Chicago Chamber Musicians. Elizandro has participated in numerous music festivals including Tanglewood, National Repertory Orchestra, Kent/Blossom Music, International Festival at Round Top, Spoleto/USA and Yale University's Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. He has been principal clarinet of the New Hampshire Music Festival since 2006.

Elizandro completed his Master's degree at Rice University, holds a Bachelor's degree from Baylor University, a Professional Studies diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music and additional post-graduate studies at DePaul University. His major teachers include Larry Combs, Richard Shanley, Michael Webster and Franklin Cohen. Elizandro lives in Chicago and teaches clarinet at Loyola University-Chicago, DePaul University Community Music Program and has been recently appointed to teach at Illinois Wesleyan University.