Charles Carleton

Charles Carleton serves as Lecturer of Double Bass at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Performing Arts since 2014 and maintains faculty positions at Cleveland State University since 2003. As a core member of the Grammy Award-winning Cleveland Orchestra since 2001, he performs under Music Directors Franz Welser-Möst and Christoph von Dohnányi in premier venues worldwide including Carnegie Hall, Vienna's Musikverein, and Miami's Arsht Center.

Education:

• Bachelor of Music (B.M.) from The Juilliard School

Carleton's professional focus centers on double bass performance excellence and pedagogical innovation. His research interests manifest through active advocacy for double bass pedagogy development, chamber music exploration, and orchestral conducting practice. This dedication drives his masterclass instruction at leading institutions and shapes his approach to making classical music accessible through community engagement initiatives.

Teaching and Leadership:

• Faculty member at Cleveland State University since 2003 conducting Chamber and Symphonic Orchestras since 2011
• Masterclass instructor at Cleveland Institute of Music, Cincinnati College-Conservatory, and Frost School of Music
• Artistic leader of Cleveland Ensemble fostering musician-audience synergy in Northeast Ohio

As founder and Music Director of Cleveland Ensemble, Carleton spearheads a non-profit chamber orchestra dedicated to expanding musical access through education programs and community partnerships across greater Cleveland. His vision creates bridges between classical traditions and new audiences through innovative programming in diverse venues.