John Clouser is the head of CIM’s Bassoon Department and is principal bassoon of The Cleveland Orchestra. He completed studies at Temple University, Trenton State College and Gordon College, and his teachers have included Bernard Garfield and Matthew Ruggiero.

Mr. Clouser served as associate principal bassoon of Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal from 1994 until 1997. He was also former principal bassoon of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra from 1988 until 1994 and a member of the faculty woodwind quintet at Memphis State University from 1988 until 1992. He has participated in the Peninsula, Colorado, Tanglewood, Flagstaff, Round Top and Grand Teton Festivals, and served as adjunct professor at McGill University, Rhodes College and Haverford College. He was appointed to the CIM faculty in 1997.