Phillip Rehfeldt is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music through his exceptional skills as a clarinetist, composer, and educator. Born on August 22, 1945, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rehfeldt grew up in a family of musicians, which played a significant role in shaping his musical career. Rehfeldt's love for music began at an early age, and he started playing the clarinet when he was just nine years old. He received his early music education from his father, who was a clarinetist and a music teacher. Rehfeldt's father recognized his son's talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Rehfeldt went on to study music at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1967. After completing his undergraduate studies, Rehfeldt continued his education at the University of Michigan, where he earned his Master of Music degree in 1969. During his time at the University of Michigan, Rehfeldt studied under the tutelage of renowned clarinetist William Stubbins, who played a significant role in shaping his musical style and technique. Rehfeldt's career as a professional musician began in the early 1970s when he joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as a clarinet instructor. He quickly established himself as a talented musician and educator, and his reputation as a clarinetist began to grow. In 1974, Rehfeldt released his first album, "New Music for Clarinet," which featured contemporary works by composers such as John Cage, Morton Feldman, and Earle Brown. Throughout his career, Rehfeldt has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, both nationally and internationally. He has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. Rehfeldt has also collaborated with many renowned musicians, including pianist Ursula Oppens, cellist Fred Sherry, and composer John Cage. One of Rehfeldt's most significant achievements as a musician was his collaboration with composer John Cage. Rehfeldt worked closely with Cage, performing many of his works and recording several albums of his music. Rehfeldt's collaboration with Cage helped to bring his music to a wider audience and cemented his reputation as a leading interpreter of contemporary music. In addition to his career as a performer, Rehfeldt is also an accomplished composer. He has written numerous works for clarinet, including solo pieces, chamber music, and works for clarinet and electronics. Rehfeldt's compositions have been performed by many leading musicians and ensembles, including the Kronos Quartet and the Arditti Quartet. Rehfeldt's contributions to the world of music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1985, he was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Fellowship, which allowed him to perform and record a series of concerts featuring contemporary works for clarinet. In 1995, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the International Clarinet Association in recognition of his contributions to the clarinet community. Throughout his career, Rehfeldt has also been an active educator, teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for over 30 years. He has mentored many young musicians, helping to shape their careers and inspire them to pursue their passion for music.

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