Hailing from Philadelphia, Max Reese is currently an in-demand freelancer and educator in the Chicago area. Reese is currently a regular member with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Previously, he had a 1-year position in the Milwaukee Symphony as assistant principal/2nd/Eb clarinet. He frequently performs with the Chicago Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Akron Symphony, Ballet Indiana, and others. Reese is an active educator and has a studio of clarinet students ranging from the ages of 7 to 85. He also teaches through the Ravinia Festival’s Reach, Teach, Play education program in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. Reese is Director of Marketing for the Empowered Creatives Project, a community-rooted project developed by musicians, artists, and storytellers who believe that everyone is innately creative and every story has value. He studied with Stephen Williamson and Richard Hawkins at DePaul University and the Oberlin Conservatory, respectively.