Michael Gruender is a freelance clarinetist and music educator in the Greater Boston area. 

Currently, Mr. Gruender serves as principal clarinet of the Du Bois Orchestra in Cambridge, MA.  Mr. Gruender has also performed with the Horizon Ensemble, Boston Civic Symphony, the New Philharmonia Orchestra, and has served as E-flat Clarinetist for the Wind Symphony of Southern New Jersey.

As a chamber musician, Mr. Gruender has performed in woodwind quintets, woodwind quartets and clarinet quartets such as the Dark Rose Ensemble, the Gale Force Winds and the Ro-Wind Quintet.  He has also premiered several chamber works by composers such as Daniel Harrison and Carlos Bandera.

As an educator, Mr. Gruender served on faculty for the Rowan University Preparatory School, maintained a large private studio of clarinet, saxophone and flute students at Music and Arts Center in Westborough, MA, and currently teaches instrumental music in the Lynn Public Schools.  Outside of performances and educational work, Mr. Gruender composes with electronic instruments and enjoys spending quality time with his fiancé, Steve, and his corgi, Brodie.

Mr. Gruender holds a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Rowan University as well as a Master of Music in Performance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.  Primary teachers include Barbara Benedett, Dr. Rié Suzuki, and Michael Norsworthy.