Trumpet with Michelle K.

Michelle completed her Masters in Trumpet Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music. Following graduation, she attended the Aspen Music Festival where she studied with Tom Hooten, Stuart Stephenson, Raymond Mase and David Krauss. She also had extensive study with the American Brass Quintet, especially Kevin Cobb and John Rojak who coached her brass quintet at Aspen. Before attending Aspen, Michelle frequently performed with the historic Eastman Wind Ensemble while pursuing her master's degree. She was a featured soloist in the group’s performance of Dave Rivello’s While the Moon Looks Down. Michelle also successfully auditioned for the wind ensemble’s trumpet section for a ticketed concert with the Canadian Brass. She played in Cleveland's Severance Hall while on tour with the ensemble. In addition to the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Michelle performed frequently with the Eastman Philharmonia. Notably, she performed Mahler’s sixth symphony and also played principal trumpet in a concert with Joshua Bell under the direction of David Zinnman with the Philharmonia. While at Eastman, Michelle studied with James Thompson. Previous to her Master's studies, Michelle graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Trumpet Performance at DePaul University where she studied with William Denton, Matthew Comerford, and Matthew Lee. In her time at DePaul, she performed in the DePaul Symphony Orchestra as well as the Wind Ensemble. She appeared with the Wind Ensemble on a television broadcast of Windy City Live for a special Veterans Day program. Michelle has performed at Chicago's Symphony Center as well as at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. She has played for several well-known trumpeters such as Chris Martin, Charlie Geyer and Tony Plog. Dedicated to music education, Michelle taught at the Eastman Community Music School as a trumpet intern and was selected to teach for the Aspen’s P.A.L.S. teaching program. Additionally, she has been an instructor for brass at high school marching band camps. Michelle recently moved to Asheville, NC where she recently became a substitute trumpet player for the Hendersonville Symphony and Brevard Philharmonic and is a member of the Pisgah Brass Quintet. She also teaches at Montreat college in as an adjunct music professor. Michelle primarily plays classical music, but also has some experience in jazz. She is able to teach students of all ages and ability levels.