Axel Clarke has been active as a performer and instructor in the Los Angeles area for fifteen years. He holds a Bachelor of Artists and Masters of Arts degrees in Percussion Performance from California State University, in Long Beach, CA.

As a teacher, he has been a member of the Studio faculty at Long Beach State for eight years and also directs the percussion program at the prestigious Orange County High School of the Arts.

Axel's performance and recording credits include work with IronWorks Percussion Duo, Long Beach Symphony, Long Beach Ballet, Sara Haze, Chelsea Lena, Skanic, Kim Richmond Jazz Orchestra, The Robin Cox Ensemble, DMP, Next multi-media exhibits in museums across the country, and in documentaries for Animal Planet and Discovery.

As a composer he is published by Bachovich Music.