‍ I’ve performed with a diverse and wide-ranging group of artists and ensembles, including the Louisiana Philharmonic (Acting Assistant Principal/3rd Trumpet), Syracuse Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, and South Bend Symphony, as well as with Josh Groban, Celtic Woman, Tower of Power, and Lettuce among others. For two summers I was a fellow at the Chautauqua Institution, and since 2023 I have been a Resident Artist at the Caroga Lake Music Festival.

I hold a Bachelor’s Degree with Distinction in Research and Creative Works from Rice University, where I studied under legendary teachers Charlie Geyer and Barbara Butler. I also earned a Master’s Degree with Honors from Northwestern University, where I studied with David Bilger, Michael Sachs, and Thomas Rolfs. My other teachers and mentors in performance, pedagogy, conducting, and composition include John Raschella, Micah Wilkinson, Dr. Pierre Jalbert, and Dr. Mallory Thompson.   

As an avid composer, I’ve been commissioned to write for a variety of ensembles and soloists, with concert performances held across the US and abroad.  I’m very happy to have recently finished a collaboration with my dear friend, and phenomenal trumpeter, John Wagner of the Madison Symphony and University of Wisconsin. John recorded an album of many of my works for trumpet entitled AND THE MOUNTAIN MOVED.  In addition to solo trumpet and piano works, it features a set of trumpet quartets, my Quintet for Brass, and three new commissions: Earth Etudes for trumpet in a large room, And the Mountain Moved for trumpet and piano, and Adirondack Concerto for trumpet, violin, and piano. The link to this album as well as recordings of selected works can be found here. 

I maintain a private teaching studio for trumpeters of all experience levels. My students have placed in prestigious ensembles, including the Midwest Young Artists Orchestra and Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. I also teach trumpet and high brass at Northridge Preparatory School in Niles, IL.  I very much enjoy running clinics, studio classes, group/sectional coaching and have presented masterclasses at the collegiate level. I strive to continue finding new ways to share my passion with the next generation of great musicians and even more importantly, great people. 

In my spare time, I enjoy fishing, golf, and cooking, among many other hobbies. I also enjoy spending quality time with my family in Upstate NY and with my supremely talented wife and fellow trumpeter Bethany Vaughan.