6/26/1957 – 2/3/2023
Life Member. Clarinet

Michael Grego, clarinet, passed away on February 3, 2023. Michael was born in Montebello, CA, attended St. Stephen School in Monterey Park, and graduated from Loyola High School in 1975. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980 from Loyola Marymount University. He graduated with a Master of Music in 1983 and a Doctor of Musical Arts in 1991, both from USC. He attended the Music Academy of the West where he studied with his principal teacher, Mitchell Lurie.

Michael worked extensively as an orchestral musician, soloist, and chamber musician. He was a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Los Angeles Master Chorale Orchestra and the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra. He performed regularly with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Long Beach Symphony, and Los Angeles Opera Orchestra.

Michael performed in Europe, Canada, Brazil, Japan and throughout the U.S. He also appeared as a guest artist at the Ojai Festival, the California EAR Unit, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Berlin Festwochen and Martha’ Vineyard Chamber Music Festival.

In addition to performing in numerous musical theater productions at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles, he was active in the recording industry, playing for various films, commercials, and television shows. He played on Grammy nominated recordings by the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Grammy winning recordings with the LA Opera.

In the field of music education, Michael taught at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Cal State University Long Beach, and Chapman University. He also taught early in his career at Loyola High School and late in his career at Flintridge Sacred Heart.

Michael served as a personnel manager for the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, committee chair of several orchestra negotiating committees, and was a Trustee with the Musicians Union, Local 47.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either the American Brain Tumor Association or the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Flintridge Sacred Heart, La Cañada, CA.

Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m. at Flintridge Sacred Heart, 400 Saint Katherine Dr., La Cañada Flintridge 91011. Please RSVP to michele.grego@att.net.