Sooksan Ratanapol

Born in Bangkok, Thailand. Sooksan Ratanapol received scholarship from ASEA-UNINET to study with principal clarinettist of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Prof. Stefan Schilling, at Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz, Austria, there he also studied orchestra-playing with Prof. Gottfried, Prof. Gerald Pachinger and Chamber music with Prof.Chia Chou (Trio Parnassus). In 2010 he furthered his study in Chamber music with Norbert Kaiser at Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst Stuttgart.

In addition to his study, he participated in various masterclasses by world-renowned clarinettists such as Wenzel Fuchs, Larry Combs, Norbert Kaiser, Martin Spangenberg, Ronald van Spaendonck, Steven Barta and Bil Jackson. In Summer 2009, he took part in Crusell International Clarinet Competition.

During his orchestra-clarinettist career, he has performed with lots of orchestras such as Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Junge Oper Stuttgart, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, Siam Philharmonic, Bangkok Symphony Orchestra as a principal clarinettist. Moreover, from 2004-2006, he spent his summer in Asian Youth Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Sergui Comissiona and Maestro Okko Kamu. In Asian Youth Orchestra, he also studied clarinet with Steven Barta. Being an orchestra-clarinettist, it took him to many parts of the world, including Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Japan, Hongkong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines. In February 2008 he had a successful Debut concert with Siam Philharmonic.

Currently Sooksan Ratanapol is a clarinet instructor at Young Artist Music Program, College of Music, Mahidol University.