José González Granero (born February 11, 1985 in Iznatoraf, Jaén, Spain) is a Spanish musician and since 2010, the Principal Clarinetist for the San Francisco Opera. Early life José González Granero was born in a family of musicians. His father, Pedro González, is the director of the local music band in Iznatoraf. When José was only 6 years old, his father taught him to play the Caja, which is similar to a Snare Drum. Then he learned to play the Saxophone at the Conservatorio Elemental de Música de Cazorla. Later on, he also learned to play the Clarinet and the Piano at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Jaén. José eventually chose the Clarinet as his Career instrument. Musical Composition In 2003, José composed an Overture titled Overture for a Celebration with a level of Difficulty 4. His Composition won the second prize at the city of Comines-Warneton in Belgium and his Original Work has been published in Italy by Scomegna Edizioni Musicali . Early career After his successful participation in Belgium, José earned a Scholarship and became an official Erasmus student of the Milan Conservatory in Italy during the 2004 Academic Course. In 2005, he participated in the L'Orchestre des Jeunes de la Méditerraneé In July 2006, he received the Ex Aequo Scholarship by the City of Granada Orchestra where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and took private lessons with seasoned Classical Music professional mentors. Musical Studies in California In 2008, José then moved to California to complete a Graduate Studies program at the University of Southern California and also at The Colburn School of the Performing Arts in the City of Pasadena in order to continue his Clarinet studies with the clarinetist, Yehuda Gilad. Awards 2nd Prize with the Overture for a Celebration Awarded at the City of Comines-Warneton, in Belgium (2003). Grand Prize for Exceptional Talent and Musicianship in Pasadena (2008). 1st Prize Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra Competition (2009). 2nd Prize Downey Symphony Orchestra Competition (2009). Bruce Zalkind Memorial Endowed Music Award (2009). Pasadena Showcase House of Arts Grand Prize After winning the 24th annual Pasadena Showcase House of the Arts Grand Prize in 2008, José kept performing and got an invitation to audition for the principal Clarinet position at the San Francisco Opera. San Francisco Opera Audition The San Francisco Opera invited over 249 talented clarinetists in the United States to audition for the Principal Clarinet