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Ricardo Morales.

Ricardo Morales was appointed principal clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 1993 at the age of 21. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and a graduate of Indiana University, where he received his Artist Diploma, he began his professional career in the Florida Symphony in Orlando, Florida. Among his many awards and honors are the Grand Prize at the Seventeen Magazine National Concerto Competition, First Prize in the national Arts Recognition and Talent Search, as well as being named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts by President George Bush. He has appeared as soloist with many orchestras and ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinatti Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony, the Columbus Symphony, and the Puerto Rico Symphony. He has also performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Kennedy Center, with Philharmonia Virtuosi, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the Eastern Music Festival. He has been heard in recital and given master classes at Weill Recital Hall, Indiana University, Louisiana State University, New England Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, the Domaine Forget International Festival in Quebec, and the Puerto Rico Conservatory.

During the 1998-1999 season he was heard with the MET Chamber Ensemble in its inaugural series of concerts at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall. In the 1999-2000 chamber music series, Mr. Morales will be performing Schumann's Fantasiestücke with James Levine on piano. During the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra's 1999 European Tour, he appeared as soloist performing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto and in Carnegie Hall.

Mr. Morales currently serves on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, the Mannes College of Music, and The Juilliard School.