ABOUT

Michael
Mazzolin Dassios

Michael Dassios is a Canadian clarinettist and mouthpiece maker based in Ottawa, Canada. Raised in a Greek and Italian family in Scarborough, Ontario, his musical outlook blends European cultural roots with a North American professional path—an influence that continues to shape his approach to craft, collaboration, and sound.

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Originally enrolled at the University of Toronto in the sciences, Michael shifted fully into music and built an early career as a soloist, orchestral, and chamber musician, performing in a wide range of professional settings alongside leading players and ensembles. His interest in mouthpiece design developed in parallel with this performance work and was shaped through mentorship, formal study, and hands-on experience refining equipment across varied playing environments and musical contexts.

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Alongside nearly a decade of service as a clarinettist with the Canadian Armed Forces—performing across Canada in orchestras, chamber groups, and military bands on soprano, E-flat, and bass clarinet—Michael developed a parallel practice in mouthpiece making grounded in reliability, practicality, and musical adaptability.

Today, his work centers on direct collaboration with musicians worldwide, refining ideas through real playing contexts and diverse musical communities. His mouthpieces are used by orchestral players, soloists, educators, freelancers, and advancing students across North America and Europe. His work remains driven by curiosity, travel, dialogue, and a belief that great tools—and great people—should support musical freedom.

Kyle
Justice Orlando

Kyle Orlando is a Canadian trombonist based in Abu Dhabi, where he serves as Second Trombone with the newly established United Arab Emirates National Orchestra. Alongside his performing career, Kyle plays a key role at Dassios Mouthpieces as Operations and Administration Manager, supporting logistics, workflow coordination, and artist relations with clarity, reliability, and precision.

Prior to relocating overseas, Kyle held positions with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces. His orchestral experience across diverse institutional settings has given him a strong understanding of professional standards, scheduling realities, and the practical demands placed on working musicians—insight that directly informs his contributions behind the scenes at Dassios Mouthpieces.

Kyle earned his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Toronto, where he won the university’s Concerto Competition, and spent a year studying abroad at the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki in Finland. He later completed an Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music, refining his artistry under world-class mentorship while developing the discipline and structure required for a sustainable international career.

Kyle’s collaboration with founder and craftsman Mike Dassios began during their time in Ottawa, where shared educational roots and a mutual interest in international music-making sparked ongoing conversations about artistry, mobility, and life beyond national borders. Those discussions evolved into a professional partnership grounded in shared values: respect for craftsmanship, clear communication, and long-term thinking. Today, Kyle works closely with Mike to ensure that the operational side of Dassios Mouthpieces supports the same level of care, intention, and consistency found in the instruments themselves.

Known for his calm, methodical approach and strong organizational instincts, Kyle brings a naturally structured, detail-oriented mindset to the team. His ability to manage complex information, track workflows, and anticipate logistical needs allows the creative process to remain focused and uninterrupted—an essential balance within a bespoke, artist-driven workshop.

Beyond music, Kyle is a dedicated student of East Asian languages, currently with particular focus on Japanese and Korean, skills that are especially valuable to our team in international communication and artist relations. He is also an avid traveler and photographer, with a deep appreciation for cultural exchange and visual storytelling.

With his international perspective, organizational strength, and commitment to thoughtful collaboration, Kyle plays an integral role in supporting the growth and global reach of Dassios Mouthpieces.