FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2024
B. Corbin Clarinet Products
(850) 296-3672
info@corbinclarinetproducts.com
www.corbinclarinetproducts.com
B. Corbin Clarinet Products Recognized Among the 2025 Seminole 100
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – B. Corbin Clarinet Products, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, has earned a spot on the prestigious 2025 Seminole 100 list, ranking it among the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by Florida State University alumni. The company will be celebrated on Saturday, February 22, at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida, during the 8th annual Seminole 100 Celebration.
Each year, FSU honors the accomplishments of its top 100 alumni entrepreneurs through Seminole 100. At this inspiring event held on campus, honorees discover their individual rankings and receive awards, while having the chance to network with fellow business leaders from a wide range of industries.
B. Corbin Clarinet Products was founded in 2017 by Brian Corbin, Jr. and Dr. Lilly Haley while both served as graduate students and Teaching Assistants at the FSU College of Music. Specializing in manufacturing and distributing some of the world's finest hand-crafted, artisan clarinet products, B. Corbin helps musicians find and share their musical voice with the world. All of Brian’s unique designs and B. Corbin branded products are meticulously hand-crafted in the USA using precision machining techniques, hand-selected exotic wood, and tested by our team of clarinetists and music educators.
Since graduating with a DMA in Clarinet Performance in 2018, Dr. Lilly Haley has enlisted in the United States Navy and has served and performed all over the world in her capacity as both a Navy Sailor and a Royal Global Performing Artist. Most recently, she performed with the Amazônia Jazz Band based in Belém do Pará, Brazil as one of the only female artists to share the stage with the storied group. In addition to her DMA from FSU, she holds degrees from Indiana University and University of New Hampshire.
A native of Stafford, Virginia, Brian Corbin, Jr. graduated from the FSU College of Music in 2018 with a MM in Clarinet Performance and received a Bachelor of Music Education from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in 2016. Brian continues to perform with ensembles across the country, give lectures and clinics, and work as a consultant for organizations looking to develop a more well-rounded curriculum for student success. His collaboration with Royal Global as the North American distributor highlights his efforts to make artisan quality instruments more accessible, helping to break down barriers for musicians from all socio-economic backgrounds.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Brian is active as a real estate investor, helping entrepreneurs and first-time home buyers build wealth through real estate. He is the founder of Blackwood Coffee Company, a specialty coffee, roast-to-order business that supports music education and African blackwood conservation efforts by donating proceeds to aligned nonprofit organizations.
Brian attributes much of his companies’ success to his time at IU and FSU. Brian writes, “My time at the FSU College of Music had a profound impact on our success over the last several years. The top-notch educators, administrators, facilities, and the overall community helped build a network that I continue to rely on today. I’m grateful for every obstacle and challenge that we’ve endured, and the skills I learned at FSU to overcome them and live my dream.”
“Our 2025 Seminole 100 honorees demonstrate the remarkable achievements of our alumni who are not only leading thriving businesses but also embody the spirit and values of Florida State University,” said Julie Decker, associate vice president of University Advancement, Alumni Engagement and president of the FSU Alumni Association. “These alumni and entrepreneurs inspire us, and it’s an honor to recognize them.”
This year’s honorees represent a diverse array of industries, including energy, technology, law, marketing and retail. Of the 100 businesses recognized, 79 are based in Florida, and 13 states across the country are represented, demonstrating the reach and impact of FSU alumni nationwide.
To be eligible for Seminole 100, companies must have been in operation for at least three years, have generated revenue by January 1, 2021, and be owned or led by an FSU graduate for three consecutive years before applying.
