Paul Wonjin Cho

Paul Wonjin Cho is a Korean-American clarinetist whose career spans orchestral performance, chamber music, and education. He performs regularly with The Cleveland Orchestra, including a European tour and four commercial recordings under Franz Welser-Möst. He is the tenured bass and third clarinetist of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and has held positions with the Binghamton Philharmonic and New Haven Symphony. His guest appearances include performances with the Met Opera Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, The Knights, and Vermont Symphony.

As a core member of Decoda, Carnegie Hall’s first ensemble-in-residence, Cho has led international tours and residencies, reaching thousands through performances and educational outreach. A Yale School of Music graduate, he earned an Artist Diploma and Master’s degree under David Shifrin, receiving top honors including the Dean’s Prize. He previously studied with Yehuda Gilad and Dong-Jin Kim.

His two-year fellowship with Ensemble Connect deepened his dedication to contemporary music and community engagement, bringing music into NYC public schools and collaborating with composers such as Timo Andres and Meredith Monk. He has taught and given masterclasses at UMass Amherst, Vassar, TCNJ, and others. His recordings include GRAMMY-winning albums with The Cleveland Orchestra and works on Naxos and Experiential Orchestra.