Jorge Diez, a native of Medellin, Colombia, has been appointed as the Principal Clarinetist of the 
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra since 2024. Prior to this role, he served as the second clarinet with the Tuscaloosa Symphony.
Mr. Diez has performed across three continents and in six countries, including the United States, Italy, Colombia, Venezuela, Spain, and Panama. He has collaborated with notable orchestras such as The Alabama Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, Huntsville Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Simon Bolivar Symphony, and Medellin Philharmonic, among others. He has had the privilege of working under the baton of renowned conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel, Rafael Payares, Myung-whum Chung, Andres Orozco-Estrada, and Krzysztof Penderecki.
Jorge has performed as a soloist with esteemed ensembles such as the Zulia Symphony Orchestra, Rafael Urdaneta Symphony Orchestra, Huxford Symphony, and Mississippi Symphony, among others. His distinguished career also includes notable national and international participation in chamber music, with appearances at prestigious events like the Bergamo International Music Festival, ClarinetFest, the New World Festival, the Magic City Clarinet Festival Birmingham, and the Festival Musical de Antioquia.
Mr. Diez currently resides in Jackson, Mississippi, with his wonderful family, where he actively contributes to the music community. Jorge is a Selmer Paris and D’Addario Woodwinds Artist.
Accompanying artist
Colombian guitarist Carlos Bedoya is a rising concert artist and lecturer in guitar at the University of Louisville. Praised as “a complete 
musician that excels in all ranges of styles,” he maintains an active performance and teaching career while also engaging in chamber music and community-based cultural work.
Bedoya has performed throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe, with appearances at the Cartagena Music Festival and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. He has also appeared as a soloist with orchestras across the United States and collaborated with internationally recognized musicians.
An award-winning performer, Bedoya has earned more than 20 top prizes in national and international competitions. His work includes premieres of new music by composers across the Americas and Europe, as well as published compositions and arrangements.
In addition to performing and teaching, Bedoya directs the annual University of Louisville Guitar Festival and Competition and serves on the faculty of festivals nationwide.
