Meet the Musicians: Benjamin Lulich

By Leilani Polk

Before he became the Seattle Symphony’s Principal Clarinet, Benjamin Lulich spent seven years performing in Southern California, as Principal Clarinet in Orange County’s Pacific Symphony, subbing for orchestras like the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and freelancing on recordings projects for the Hollywood Studio Orchestra. He lent his chops to such film soundtracks as Life of Pi (which won an Oscar for Best Original Score), Water for Elephants, Godzilla and Monsters University. “Oftentimes, you had no idea who you’d be playing with or which instruments you’d be playing.” The work could call for contrabass clarinet, e-flat clarinet and everything in between — and the mic was always on. “You never knew which take was going to make it into the movie, so you had to make sure you were consistent and ready for anything. There’s an old joke about this sort of work: it’s 90 percent boredom and 10 percent sheer terror.” 

He also had the opportunity to perform at Yamaha’s 125th Anniversary Concert, a 2013 live-streamed event headlined by Elton John. “That ended up being a four-hour concert with no intermission, but it was an unforgettable experience to play with Elton, to be so close while he performed and sang.” 

Ben was born in Portland, grew up in Central Oregon and started playing music as a kid, though he didn’t get serious about it until his family moved to Seattle midway through eighth grade and he joined an orchestra for the first time. He was hooked. He ended up studying at Interlochen Arts Academy, got his undergraduate degree at Cleveland Institute of Music and was working on a master’s at Yale School of Music when he secured a one-year position playing with the Kansas City Symphony. He lived in Southern California from 2007 to 2014, winning his current position with the Seattle Symphony and starting in the 2014/2015 season.  

He’s been in the soloist spotlight at Benaroya Hall several times over the years. His next front-of-stage moment will be in Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto (April 20, May 2 & 3, 2026). “It’s one of those big pieces you study as a student and are often asked to play at auditions. It was written when Mozart was at the peak of his abilities, shortly before he died, and it is so beautiful.” Ben will be performing it with Xian at the podium. “She brings a ton of energy and always makes things fun and exciting while making us sound so good. It’s been great to get her perspective on these big classics.” He’ll also be leading a clarinet quartet by Heinrich Kaminski with his colleagues in the season’s second Chamber Series program (March 10, 2026). 

Outside of an annual summertime gig playing in Oregon’s Sunriver Festival, he doesn’t pick up much freelance work now that he’s a busy full-time orchestra member with a wife, Saisai, and two kids, Anna and Ethan, who turn 9 and 5 in March. “They’re fun to be around and it’s a thrill to see them experience new things.” 

Family outings include much exploration of the region, though they love Whidbey Island the most. “It’s always a great trip. We go back again and again.” They are especially fond of Fort Casey Historical State Park. “We’ll often make it a day trip if we have only a day off; take the ferry across and drive up the island. Fort Casey is one of our favorites; the bunkers, the lighthouse, fields for the kids to run around and fly kites. It feels a world away from the city.” 

Benjamin Lulich’s position is generously underwritten as the Mr. & Mrs. Paul R. Smith Principal Clarinet.