Brazilian-born clarinetist Francois Benda (born 1964) has made a career as soloist and chamber musician around the world. In 1991 he was awarded the Premio internazionale per le Arti dello Spettaccolo in Rome. Benda is one of the most sought-after clarinet teachers in the world. Apart from playing many concerts, he is also a professor at the University of the Arts in Berlin and teaches at the Music Academy of the City of Basel.