***Please check back soon for 2022 information
2021 Guest Artists:
Myles Blakemore
United States Naval Academy Band
Myles Blakemore is an up and coming classical trombonist. He currently serves as Trombonist in the US Naval Academy Band and as Professor of Trombone at Howard University. Prior to his current positions, he was the inaugural Rosemary and David Good Fellow with the Minnesota Orchestra and a fellow with the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.
Myles has performed on international stages including with the Malaysian Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony and Dallas Symphony. As a student, he spent summers attending some of the country’s premier music festivals including Brevard Music Center, National Repertory Orchestra, and Aspen Music Festival.
A Dallas native, Myles is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, where he studied with John Kitzman. He received his Master's Degree at the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Per Brevig in the Orchestral Program.
He is a sought-after masterclass instructor, and maintains a trombone studio in the Washington, DC area. He is currently at work on his debut solo album, which features the works of unaccompanied trombone. Follow Myles’ journey on social media, where he shares his musical process, performance education, and music industry satire.
Myles is a Bach Brass Performing Artist.
United States Naval Academy Band
Myles Blakemore is an up and coming classical trombonist. He currently serves as Trombonist in the US Naval Academy Band and as Professor of Trombone at Howard University. Prior to his current positions, he was the inaugural Rosemary and David Good Fellow with the Minnesota Orchestra and a fellow with the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.
Myles has performed on international stages including with the Malaysian Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony and Dallas Symphony. As a student, he spent summers attending some of the country’s premier music festivals including Brevard Music Center, National Repertory Orchestra, and Aspen Music Festival.
A Dallas native, Myles is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, where he studied with John Kitzman. He received his Master's Degree at the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Per Brevig in the Orchestral Program.
He is a sought-after masterclass instructor, and maintains a trombone studio in the Washington, DC area. He is currently at work on his debut solo album, which features the works of unaccompanied trombone. Follow Myles’ journey on social media, where he shares his musical process, performance education, and music industry satire.
Myles is a Bach Brass Performing Artist.
Matthew Guilford
National Symphony Orchestra
Matthew Guilford has served as bass trombonist with the National Symphony Orchestra since his appointment by Mstislav Rostropovich in 1991. Previously, he was a member of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and he has performed with several of America's leading orchestras including the Baltimore Symphony, Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, Minnesota Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony. He has also performed with Music of the Baroque in Chicago, The Chicago Chamber Musicians and the Grand Teton Music Festival.
Guilford has studied with Jerry Shaw, Norman Bolter, Douglas Yeo and John Swallow, and is a graduate of the New England Conservatory where he received both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. He was the 1988 winner of the Donald Yaxley Scholarship, a bass trombone concerto competition sponsored by the International Trombone Association. His career has included such varied engagements as the national tour of the Broadway musical Les Miserables; the Boston Symphony recording of the Richard Strauss opera Elektra; the motion picture soundtrack for the film Predator II and fellowships to Tanglewood and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute.
Guilford is a senior lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he has taught since 1993. He is also on faculty at the National Orchestral Institute and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Many of his students have gone on to enjoy successful performing and teaching careers. He has presented solo recitals and masterclasses at most of the top conservatories and universities in the United States and abroad.
A native of Middleboro, Massachusetts, near Boston, Guilford currently resides in McLean, Virginia.
National Symphony Orchestra
Matthew Guilford has served as bass trombonist with the National Symphony Orchestra since his appointment by Mstislav Rostropovich in 1991. Previously, he was a member of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and he has performed with several of America's leading orchestras including the Baltimore Symphony, Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, Minnesota Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony. He has also performed with Music of the Baroque in Chicago, The Chicago Chamber Musicians and the Grand Teton Music Festival.
Guilford has studied with Jerry Shaw, Norman Bolter, Douglas Yeo and John Swallow, and is a graduate of the New England Conservatory where he received both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. He was the 1988 winner of the Donald Yaxley Scholarship, a bass trombone concerto competition sponsored by the International Trombone Association. His career has included such varied engagements as the national tour of the Broadway musical Les Miserables; the Boston Symphony recording of the Richard Strauss opera Elektra; the motion picture soundtrack for the film Predator II and fellowships to Tanglewood and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute.
Guilford is a senior lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he has taught since 1993. He is also on faculty at the National Orchestral Institute and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Many of his students have gone on to enjoy successful performing and teaching careers. He has presented solo recitals and masterclasses at most of the top conservatories and universities in the United States and abroad.
A native of Middleboro, Massachusetts, near Boston, Guilford currently resides in McLean, Virginia.
Brittany Lasch
Bowling Green State University
As a winner of the 2019 S&R Foundation Washington Award, Trombonist Brittany Lasch has appeared as a soloist with ensembles such as the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, and symphonies around the country. With playing described as “masterful” (Syracuse Post-Standard), Brittany is Assistant Professor of Trombone at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Brittany also performs as Principal Trombone of the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra at the Detroit Opera House.
Brittany was a winner of Astral Artist’s 2017 National Auditions. She was also the winner of the 2015 National Collegiate Solo Competition hosted by the U.S. Army Band, the 2010 Eisenberg-Fried Brass Concerto Competition, and she was the recipient of the Zulalian Foundation Award in 2014. Her trombone quartet Boston Based won the 2017 International Trombone Association’s Quartet Competition. In early 2018, Brittany was awarded 2nd place in The American Prize solo instrumentalist competition.
Brittany was a finalist in the 2015 International Trombone Association Frank Smith Solo Competition and has received prizes from the 2015 Enkor Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Competition, the 2010 Queens Symphony Young Soloist Competition, and the 2006 International Women’s Brass Conference Competition, as well as the International Trombone Association’s Larry Wiehe Solo Competition and Gilberto Gagliardi Competition. Upon graduation from the Manhattan School of Music, she received the coveted John Clark Award for outstanding accomplishment in Brass Performance.
Brittany has performed with orchestras nationwide including the Detroit Symphony, Nashville Symphony, The Florida Orchestra, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic, the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, the Vermont Symphony, Albany Symphony, Symphoria, and the New World Symphony in Miami Beach. She participated in the Verbier Festival Orchestra for two summers, and has also appeared at the Spoleto USA Festival, Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan, the Castleton Festival, in the National Repertory Orchestra, and at the Aspen Music Festival. She has also been a participant in the prestigious Alessi Trombone Seminar in Fossano, Italy, and in the Summer Trombone Workshop at Temple University.
As an advocate for new music, Brittany has commissioned and performed a number of new pieces for trombone. She recently gave the premiere of the orchestrated version of Martin Kennedy's Theme and Variations for Trombone and Orchestra with the BGSU Philharmonia under the direction of Emily Brown. She also recorded the work with the BGSU Philharmonia, to be released in 2021 on the Albany Records label. Her most recent premiere performance of a consortium commissioned work by
composer Inez McComas can be viewed here https://youtu.be/SPY0JU1dedk?t=2559
A native of Park Ridge, Illinois, Brittany Lasch earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University, where she received the Brass Department Award. She also holds a Master of Music degree from Yale School of Music. With a deep commitment to education, she has been a featured teacher and performer at events such as the American Trombone Workshop, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the UW Whitewater Trombone Day, the University of Arkansas Trombone Workshop, and Midwest Trombone Tuba Euphonium Conference at Eastern Illinois University. She has presented masterclasses at universities across the country and at pre-collegiate programs such as the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Her principal teachers include Toby Oft, Scott Hartman, and Steve Norrell.
Brittany Lasch is an Edwards Trombone Performing Artist. Brittany also proudly uses and endorses ChopSaver Lip Care.
Bowling Green State University
As a winner of the 2019 S&R Foundation Washington Award, Trombonist Brittany Lasch has appeared as a soloist with ensembles such as the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, and symphonies around the country. With playing described as “masterful” (Syracuse Post-Standard), Brittany is Assistant Professor of Trombone at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Brittany also performs as Principal Trombone of the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra at the Detroit Opera House.
Brittany was a winner of Astral Artist’s 2017 National Auditions. She was also the winner of the 2015 National Collegiate Solo Competition hosted by the U.S. Army Band, the 2010 Eisenberg-Fried Brass Concerto Competition, and she was the recipient of the Zulalian Foundation Award in 2014. Her trombone quartet Boston Based won the 2017 International Trombone Association’s Quartet Competition. In early 2018, Brittany was awarded 2nd place in The American Prize solo instrumentalist competition.
Brittany was a finalist in the 2015 International Trombone Association Frank Smith Solo Competition and has received prizes from the 2015 Enkor Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Competition, the 2010 Queens Symphony Young Soloist Competition, and the 2006 International Women’s Brass Conference Competition, as well as the International Trombone Association’s Larry Wiehe Solo Competition and Gilberto Gagliardi Competition. Upon graduation from the Manhattan School of Music, she received the coveted John Clark Award for outstanding accomplishment in Brass Performance.
Brittany has performed with orchestras nationwide including the Detroit Symphony, Nashville Symphony, The Florida Orchestra, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic, the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, the Vermont Symphony, Albany Symphony, Symphoria, and the New World Symphony in Miami Beach. She participated in the Verbier Festival Orchestra for two summers, and has also appeared at the Spoleto USA Festival, Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan, the Castleton Festival, in the National Repertory Orchestra, and at the Aspen Music Festival. She has also been a participant in the prestigious Alessi Trombone Seminar in Fossano, Italy, and in the Summer Trombone Workshop at Temple University.
As an advocate for new music, Brittany has commissioned and performed a number of new pieces for trombone. She recently gave the premiere of the orchestrated version of Martin Kennedy's Theme and Variations for Trombone and Orchestra with the BGSU Philharmonia under the direction of Emily Brown. She also recorded the work with the BGSU Philharmonia, to be released in 2021 on the Albany Records label. Her most recent premiere performance of a consortium commissioned work by
composer Inez McComas can be viewed here https://youtu.be/SPY0JU1dedk?t=2559
A native of Park Ridge, Illinois, Brittany Lasch earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University, where she received the Brass Department Award. She also holds a Master of Music degree from Yale School of Music. With a deep commitment to education, she has been a featured teacher and performer at events such as the American Trombone Workshop, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the UW Whitewater Trombone Day, the University of Arkansas Trombone Workshop, and Midwest Trombone Tuba Euphonium Conference at Eastern Illinois University. She has presented masterclasses at universities across the country and at pre-collegiate programs such as the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Her principal teachers include Toby Oft, Scott Hartman, and Steve Norrell.
Brittany Lasch is an Edwards Trombone Performing Artist. Brittany also proudly uses and endorses ChopSaver Lip Care.
Douglas Rosenthal
Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra
Douglas Rosenthal was appointed Assistant Principal Trombonist of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra/Washington National Opera Orchestra in 2012. Since moving to Washington, he has performed with the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Post-Classical Ensemble, and the Washington Symphonic Brass. Douglas is also frequently a guest musician with other orchestras, including those of Baltimore, The Boston Pops, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Florida Grand Opera, Harrisburg, Huntsville, Music of the Baroque (Chicago), Northwest Indiana, Phoenix, and Utah. Douglas performed bass trumpet for both the WNO's 2016 Ring Cycle and the Chicago Lyric Opera's Ring.
Douglas was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He attended public schools in Northbrook and was a member of Midwest Young Artists. Douglas pursued Trombone Performance at Northwestern University, receiving a Bachelor of Music (cum laude) in 2008. He sought further training in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. As a student, Douglas participated in several summer music festivals, including Aspen, Roundtop, the National Orchestral Institute, Music Academy of the West, Tanglewood. His primary musical influences include Michael Mulcahy, Peter Ellefson, Charles Vernon, Randall Hawes, Jay Friedman, Joseph Alessi, and Ian Bousfield.
In addition to his pursuits as a performer, Douglas is an activist in his community. He serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the DC Federation of Musicians (Local 161-710) and is a delegate to the Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO. He also teaches private music lessons and is a faculty member at Levine Music, a music program for all ages and skill-levels in the DC/Metro Area.
Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra
Douglas Rosenthal was appointed Assistant Principal Trombonist of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra/Washington National Opera Orchestra in 2012. Since moving to Washington, he has performed with the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Post-Classical Ensemble, and the Washington Symphonic Brass. Douglas is also frequently a guest musician with other orchestras, including those of Baltimore, The Boston Pops, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Florida Grand Opera, Harrisburg, Huntsville, Music of the Baroque (Chicago), Northwest Indiana, Phoenix, and Utah. Douglas performed bass trumpet for both the WNO's 2016 Ring Cycle and the Chicago Lyric Opera's Ring.
Douglas was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He attended public schools in Northbrook and was a member of Midwest Young Artists. Douglas pursued Trombone Performance at Northwestern University, receiving a Bachelor of Music (cum laude) in 2008. He sought further training in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. As a student, Douglas participated in several summer music festivals, including Aspen, Roundtop, the National Orchestral Institute, Music Academy of the West, Tanglewood. His primary musical influences include Michael Mulcahy, Peter Ellefson, Charles Vernon, Randall Hawes, Jay Friedman, Joseph Alessi, and Ian Bousfield.
In addition to his pursuits as a performer, Douglas is an activist in his community. He serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the DC Federation of Musicians (Local 161-710) and is a delegate to the Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO. He also teaches private music lessons and is a faculty member at Levine Music, a music program for all ages and skill-levels in the DC/Metro Area.
2021 Leadership/Faculty:
Casey Jones
Oregon Symphony
Casey Jones studied music at the New England Conservatory in Boston with Norman Bolter, former trombonist of the Boston Symphony, and at the University of Maryland with Craig Mulcahy, principal trombone of the National Symphony Orchestra. Previous to school he studied with Brian Plitnik. Prior to his appointment to the Oregon Symphony, he played two seasons with The Florida Orchestra, one as second and one as principal. He has also played with the Jacksonville Symphony and the Sarasota Opera.
Casey is a winner of the Steven Zellmer-Minnesota Orchestra competition, the U. S. Army-sponsored Tenor Trombone Solo Competition, and the Southwest Trombone Symposium S.E. Shires Solo Competition. He has performed as a guest artist at the American Trombone Workshop and is on faculty with the D. C. Trombone Workshop. Casey is a S.E. Shires performing artist.
Oregon Symphony
Casey Jones studied music at the New England Conservatory in Boston with Norman Bolter, former trombonist of the Boston Symphony, and at the University of Maryland with Craig Mulcahy, principal trombone of the National Symphony Orchestra. Previous to school he studied with Brian Plitnik. Prior to his appointment to the Oregon Symphony, he played two seasons with The Florida Orchestra, one as second and one as principal. He has also played with the Jacksonville Symphony and the Sarasota Opera.
Casey is a winner of the Steven Zellmer-Minnesota Orchestra competition, the U. S. Army-sponsored Tenor Trombone Solo Competition, and the Southwest Trombone Symposium S.E. Shires Solo Competition. He has performed as a guest artist at the American Trombone Workshop and is on faculty with the D. C. Trombone Workshop. Casey is a S.E. Shires performing artist.
Corey Sansolo, Director and Founder
Axiom Brass
Trombonist Corey Sansolo enjoys a diverse performing and teaching career in the Chicagoland and Washington, D.C. areas. He is a member of the Axiom Brass and the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra, director of the DC Trombone Workshop, and is currently serving as the second trombonist of the York Symphony Orchestra.
In the past year, Corey has made frequent appearances with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, and Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he has served as guest principal trombone with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra, Northbrook Symphony, and Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago.
Corey has also performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, National Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, New Orchestra of Washington, American Pops, Opera Camerata of Washington and Washington Opera Society. In addition to his brass chamber work with the Axiom Brass, he has performed with the Tower Brass and Washington Trombone Ensemble. As a soloist, Corey has been a finalist in competitions for the International Trombone Association and the American Trombone Workshop. Versatile across many genres, he has performed with Streetlight Manifesto, Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution, San Fermin, and Marian McLaughlin's Spirit House Ensemble.
An experienced educator, Corey maintains a strong private studio of low brass students who regularly earn seats in top youth orchestras and all-state bands and jazz ensembles. His students have been finalists in the American Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition and the US Army Orchestra Concerto Competition and have earned scholarships to continue their musical studies at prestigious universities. He has coached chamber music at the Eastman Summer Trombone Institute and for the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras and founded the MoCoBones Trombone Ensemble program. Corey currently coaches low brass sectionals for the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras and serves as a brass instructor for Sistema Ravinia. He has recently given masterclasses at the University of Arkansas and Nazareth College.
Born in Connecticut and raised in Maryland, Corey received his Bachelor's of Music Degree and Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music and his Master's of Music degree at the University of Maryland. He has attended the National Orchestral Institute, the Chautauqua Music Festival, and the Miami Music Festival. His teachers include Craig Mulcahy, Dr. John Marcellus, Andrew Chappell, John Huling, and Dale Cheal.
Axiom Brass
Trombonist Corey Sansolo enjoys a diverse performing and teaching career in the Chicagoland and Washington, D.C. areas. He is a member of the Axiom Brass and the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra, director of the DC Trombone Workshop, and is currently serving as the second trombonist of the York Symphony Orchestra.
In the past year, Corey has made frequent appearances with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, and Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he has served as guest principal trombone with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra, Northbrook Symphony, and Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago.
Corey has also performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, National Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, New Orchestra of Washington, American Pops, Opera Camerata of Washington and Washington Opera Society. In addition to his brass chamber work with the Axiom Brass, he has performed with the Tower Brass and Washington Trombone Ensemble. As a soloist, Corey has been a finalist in competitions for the International Trombone Association and the American Trombone Workshop. Versatile across many genres, he has performed with Streetlight Manifesto, Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution, San Fermin, and Marian McLaughlin's Spirit House Ensemble.
An experienced educator, Corey maintains a strong private studio of low brass students who regularly earn seats in top youth orchestras and all-state bands and jazz ensembles. His students have been finalists in the American Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition and the US Army Orchestra Concerto Competition and have earned scholarships to continue their musical studies at prestigious universities. He has coached chamber music at the Eastman Summer Trombone Institute and for the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras and founded the MoCoBones Trombone Ensemble program. Corey currently coaches low brass sectionals for the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras and serves as a brass instructor for Sistema Ravinia. He has recently given masterclasses at the University of Arkansas and Nazareth College.
Born in Connecticut and raised in Maryland, Corey received his Bachelor's of Music Degree and Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music and his Master's of Music degree at the University of Maryland. He has attended the National Orchestral Institute, the Chautauqua Music Festival, and the Miami Music Festival. His teachers include Craig Mulcahy, Dr. John Marcellus, Andrew Chappell, John Huling, and Dale Cheal.
Matt Niess, Co-Director and Co-Host
Shenandoah University
Matt Niess is a Washington, DC based cross-over trombonist who served in The U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) for 30 years. He was a member of The Army Blues Jazz Ensemble and The US Army Brass Quintet.
He is from Levittown, PA and a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He earned an undergraduate degree in Instrumental Music Education from West Chester University in 1986, a M.M. in Classical Trombone Performance from George Mason University in 1996 and a D.M.A. in Classical Trombone Performance from The Catholic University of America in 2015.
He was director of bands at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick, MD from 1986-1988, and has taught on the jazz faculties of Shenandoah, George Mason and Towson Universities. He also served as director of jazz studies and professor of trombone at West Chester University from 2003-2007. Currently he is the professor of Trombone at Shenandoah Conservatory and George Mason University.
With The Army Blues he has served as Senior Producer and Jazz Coordinator of the Eastern Trombone Workshop producing over 300 concerts at various venues ranging from The White House to the Monterey Jazz Festival.
In 2008 he founded the National Jazz Workshop which runs two summer camps and sponsors a year round honor band. To date over 1,000 students have participated in “NJW”. The year round band has performed at The Kennedy Center, The Jazz Education Network, New Orleans, St. Louis, Dallas, Blues Alley and numerous jazz festivals.
He is the founder and director of The Capitol Bones, a jazz trombone ensemble, which has received national recognition and was winner of the 1991 International Trombone Association Kai Winging Award.
He has appeared as a soloist, clinician, and adjudicator at numerous venues including The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, IAJE, JEN, ITA, ETW, MENC, PMEA, VMEA, University of Las Vegas, University of Oklahoma, University of North Texas, West Virginia University, Disneyland & Disneyworld All-American College Band, James Madison University, UARTS, University of Utah, The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra, Longwood College, The U.S. Air Force “Noteables”, Mary Washington College, Shepherd College, University of Kentucky, University of Texas, George Mason University, University of Wisconsin, Towson University, University of North Carolina, Shenandoah University, Longwood College, West Chester University, University of Tennessee and others.
With The Army Band he has performed with Clark Terry, Doc Severinsen, Bill Watrous, Phil Wilson, Conrad Herwig, Carl Fontana, Don Menza, Chris Potter, John Clayton, Alabama, Rany Travis, Ertha Kitt, Allen Vizutti, Jon Faddis, The New York Voices, Terrell Stafford, Michael Abene, Dave Steinmeyer, Steve Turre, Tim Hagens, John Swana, James Moody, Buddy DeFranco, Dr. Billy Taylor, Bob Curnow, Mike Tomaro and many others. Venues include numerous Univeristies, schools and jazz festivals, I.A.J.E., ETW, The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, MENC, The Montreux Jazz Festival, The Monterey Jazz Festival, Elkhart Jazz Festival, International Trombone Festival, National Trumpet Competition, The Trumpet Guild, Performances abroad include Germany, Switzerland, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Russia, Cuba, Afghanistan, Norway and Sweden.
As a sideman he has performed with Ray Charles, Franky Valli, Pancho Sanchez, Shirley Jones, The Temptations, Diane Shuur, Joan Rivers, The Ink Spots, Merv Griffin, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra Jr., Ben Vereen, The Four Tops, The Manhattan Transfer, Pia Zadora, The Smithsonian Masterworks Orchestra, David Baker, Bobby Caldwell, The Rob Parton Jazz Tech Big Band, The Gene Krupa Orchestra, Slide Hampton and many others.
He has produced CDs with The US Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, The West Chester University Criterions Jazz Ensemble, The Capitol Bones and The Capitol Bones Big Band and has appeared on many recordings to include The Mark Taylor/Steve Fidyk Big Band, The New Gene Krupa Orchestra, The Alan Baylock Big Band, Graham Breedlove, Doug Hamilton, The Mike Tomaro Big Band, over 100 recordings with The Studio A Big Band and The Washington Winds, Warner Bros. Publications, Alfred, FJH Music, Carl Fischer Music, Belwin Publications and Hal Leonard Publications. He has also recorded sound tracks for FOX TV, HBO, Discovery and TLC.
Shenandoah University
Matt Niess is a Washington, DC based cross-over trombonist who served in The U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) for 30 years. He was a member of The Army Blues Jazz Ensemble and The US Army Brass Quintet.
He is from Levittown, PA and a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He earned an undergraduate degree in Instrumental Music Education from West Chester University in 1986, a M.M. in Classical Trombone Performance from George Mason University in 1996 and a D.M.A. in Classical Trombone Performance from The Catholic University of America in 2015.
He was director of bands at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick, MD from 1986-1988, and has taught on the jazz faculties of Shenandoah, George Mason and Towson Universities. He also served as director of jazz studies and professor of trombone at West Chester University from 2003-2007. Currently he is the professor of Trombone at Shenandoah Conservatory and George Mason University.
With The Army Blues he has served as Senior Producer and Jazz Coordinator of the Eastern Trombone Workshop producing over 300 concerts at various venues ranging from The White House to the Monterey Jazz Festival.
In 2008 he founded the National Jazz Workshop which runs two summer camps and sponsors a year round honor band. To date over 1,000 students have participated in “NJW”. The year round band has performed at The Kennedy Center, The Jazz Education Network, New Orleans, St. Louis, Dallas, Blues Alley and numerous jazz festivals.
He is the founder and director of The Capitol Bones, a jazz trombone ensemble, which has received national recognition and was winner of the 1991 International Trombone Association Kai Winging Award.
He has appeared as a soloist, clinician, and adjudicator at numerous venues including The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, IAJE, JEN, ITA, ETW, MENC, PMEA, VMEA, University of Las Vegas, University of Oklahoma, University of North Texas, West Virginia University, Disneyland & Disneyworld All-American College Band, James Madison University, UARTS, University of Utah, The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra, Longwood College, The U.S. Air Force “Noteables”, Mary Washington College, Shepherd College, University of Kentucky, University of Texas, George Mason University, University of Wisconsin, Towson University, University of North Carolina, Shenandoah University, Longwood College, West Chester University, University of Tennessee and others.
With The Army Band he has performed with Clark Terry, Doc Severinsen, Bill Watrous, Phil Wilson, Conrad Herwig, Carl Fontana, Don Menza, Chris Potter, John Clayton, Alabama, Rany Travis, Ertha Kitt, Allen Vizutti, Jon Faddis, The New York Voices, Terrell Stafford, Michael Abene, Dave Steinmeyer, Steve Turre, Tim Hagens, John Swana, James Moody, Buddy DeFranco, Dr. Billy Taylor, Bob Curnow, Mike Tomaro and many others. Venues include numerous Univeristies, schools and jazz festivals, I.A.J.E., ETW, The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, MENC, The Montreux Jazz Festival, The Monterey Jazz Festival, Elkhart Jazz Festival, International Trombone Festival, National Trumpet Competition, The Trumpet Guild, Performances abroad include Germany, Switzerland, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Russia, Cuba, Afghanistan, Norway and Sweden.
As a sideman he has performed with Ray Charles, Franky Valli, Pancho Sanchez, Shirley Jones, The Temptations, Diane Shuur, Joan Rivers, The Ink Spots, Merv Griffin, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra Jr., Ben Vereen, The Four Tops, The Manhattan Transfer, Pia Zadora, The Smithsonian Masterworks Orchestra, David Baker, Bobby Caldwell, The Rob Parton Jazz Tech Big Band, The Gene Krupa Orchestra, Slide Hampton and many others.
He has produced CDs with The US Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, The West Chester University Criterions Jazz Ensemble, The Capitol Bones and The Capitol Bones Big Band and has appeared on many recordings to include The Mark Taylor/Steve Fidyk Big Band, The New Gene Krupa Orchestra, The Alan Baylock Big Band, Graham Breedlove, Doug Hamilton, The Mike Tomaro Big Band, over 100 recordings with The Studio A Big Band and The Washington Winds, Warner Bros. Publications, Alfred, FJH Music, Carl Fischer Music, Belwin Publications and Hal Leonard Publications. He has also recorded sound tracks for FOX TV, HBO, Discovery and TLC.
Jeff Cortazzo, Co-Director and Co-Host
Shenandoah University
For over 26 years Jeff Cortazzo was bass trombonist of The U.S. Army Blues, a component of The U.S. Army Band, Pershing’s Own, in Washington D.C. With “The Blues” he has performed at many of the world’s foremost jazz festivals to include Monterrey and has shared the stage with Clark Terry, Stanley Turrentine and The New York Voices as well as Liza Minnelli, Natalie Cole and Frank Sinatra Jr. He is presently bass trombonist of the National Philharmonic, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and is contrabass trombonist of The Washington Trombone Ensemble and The Capitol Bones. He has performed as an extra or substitute with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Lyric Opera Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra and The Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra. As lecturer of trombone at The Catholic University of America, he is trombonist in the faculty brass quintet.
Dr. Cortazzo is a published composer specializing in twenty-first century concert music. His works have been performed throughout the world and is a sought-after conductor of his large concert pieces. As an educator, he has a large private studio and enjoys a long history of sending a litany of students on to top tier music schools.
Dr. Cortazzo holds a B.S. in music education from The West Chester University of Pennsylvania, a M.M. in bass trombone performance from DePaul University and a D.M.A. in composition from The Catholic University of America. His principal teachers include H. Lee Southall and Charles G. Vernon for trombone and Andrew Earle Simpson, Stephen Gorbos and Robert Baker for composition.
Shenandoah University
For over 26 years Jeff Cortazzo was bass trombonist of The U.S. Army Blues, a component of The U.S. Army Band, Pershing’s Own, in Washington D.C. With “The Blues” he has performed at many of the world’s foremost jazz festivals to include Monterrey and has shared the stage with Clark Terry, Stanley Turrentine and The New York Voices as well as Liza Minnelli, Natalie Cole and Frank Sinatra Jr. He is presently bass trombonist of the National Philharmonic, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and is contrabass trombonist of The Washington Trombone Ensemble and The Capitol Bones. He has performed as an extra or substitute with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Lyric Opera Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra and The Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra. As lecturer of trombone at The Catholic University of America, he is trombonist in the faculty brass quintet.
Dr. Cortazzo is a published composer specializing in twenty-first century concert music. His works have been performed throughout the world and is a sought-after conductor of his large concert pieces. As an educator, he has a large private studio and enjoys a long history of sending a litany of students on to top tier music schools.
Dr. Cortazzo holds a B.S. in music education from The West Chester University of Pennsylvania, a M.M. in bass trombone performance from DePaul University and a D.M.A. in composition from The Catholic University of America. His principal teachers include H. Lee Southall and Charles G. Vernon for trombone and Andrew Earle Simpson, Stephen Gorbos and Robert Baker for composition.
Frankie Yu, Workshop Manager
Frankie is a trombone teacher in Portland, Oregon. Born in Hong Kong, she earned her Masters degree in Trombone Performance with a Concentration in Music Education from the New England Conservatorywhere she studied with former trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Norman Bolter.
Prior to moving to Boston, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Trombone Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, studying with former Principal Trombone of the Baltimore Symphony, David Fetter.
Frankie is a trombone teacher in Portland, Oregon. Born in Hong Kong, she earned her Masters degree in Trombone Performance with a Concentration in Music Education from the New England Conservatorywhere she studied with former trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Norman Bolter.
Prior to moving to Boston, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Trombone Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, studying with former Principal Trombone of the Baltimore Symphony, David Fetter.
Greg Hammond, Co-Founder
US Army Brass Quintet
SSG Gregory Hammond joined The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" in November of 2015. He was born in Lancaster, PA, but grew up in Fairport, NY, where he started playing trombone at the age of 10. Hammond graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Trombone Performance, including the Performers Certificate. After spending some time as a substitute music teacher in the Rochester, NY area, he moved to Houston, TX to pursue a master's degree in Trombone Performance at the Shepherd School of music at Rice University. While in Houston, Hammond worked as a teacher and freelance musician including several performances with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. He was also a member of the 2014 Disneyland All American College Band in Anaheim, CA. You can hear Hammond playing bass trombone on Colossus Big Band’s first album “Colossus”. His teachers include Allen Barnhill (Rice), Mark Kellogg and John Marcellus (Eastman School), and Larry Poole.
US Army Brass Quintet
SSG Gregory Hammond joined The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" in November of 2015. He was born in Lancaster, PA, but grew up in Fairport, NY, where he started playing trombone at the age of 10. Hammond graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Trombone Performance, including the Performers Certificate. After spending some time as a substitute music teacher in the Rochester, NY area, he moved to Houston, TX to pursue a master's degree in Trombone Performance at the Shepherd School of music at Rice University. While in Houston, Hammond worked as a teacher and freelance musician including several performances with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. He was also a member of the 2014 Disneyland All American College Band in Anaheim, CA. You can hear Hammond playing bass trombone on Colossus Big Band’s first album “Colossus”. His teachers include Allen Barnhill (Rice), Mark Kellogg and John Marcellus (Eastman School), and Larry Poole.
David Perkel
Towson University
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Trombonist David Perkel is a versatile orchestral and jazz artist. He was the Second Trombonist of the Richmond (VA) Symphony for five years and has performed with many other orchestras including the National Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Harrisburg Symphony, San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, and the Virginia Symphony. Additionally, in 1999, he was appointed principal trombone in the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.
As a jazz musician, Perkel has performed and/or recorded with numerous jazz luminaries including Chris Potter, Steve Turre, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Schuur, the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Afro Bop Alliance, Steve Williams and Jazz Nation, Jane Monheit, Jerry Bergonzi, Bob Mintzer, Jim Pugh, the famed University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band and New York Voices. He was the lead trombonist and soloist for the Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble in Washington D.C. for sixteen years.
An active educator, Dr. Perkel is professor of trombone and euphonium at Towson University and professor of trombone at George Washington University. Previously, he was the low brass professor at Frostburg State University, and spent five years as an artist-in-residence at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Tennessee. He has given master classes at universities and music conventions all over the United States.
An Edwards Trombone Artist, Perkel earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas, a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Catholic University of America.
Towson University
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Trombonist David Perkel is a versatile orchestral and jazz artist. He was the Second Trombonist of the Richmond (VA) Symphony for five years and has performed with many other orchestras including the National Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Harrisburg Symphony, San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, and the Virginia Symphony. Additionally, in 1999, he was appointed principal trombone in the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.
As a jazz musician, Perkel has performed and/or recorded with numerous jazz luminaries including Chris Potter, Steve Turre, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Schuur, the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Afro Bop Alliance, Steve Williams and Jazz Nation, Jane Monheit, Jerry Bergonzi, Bob Mintzer, Jim Pugh, the famed University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band and New York Voices. He was the lead trombonist and soloist for the Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble in Washington D.C. for sixteen years.
An active educator, Dr. Perkel is professor of trombone and euphonium at Towson University and professor of trombone at George Washington University. Previously, he was the low brass professor at Frostburg State University, and spent five years as an artist-in-residence at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Tennessee. He has given master classes at universities and music conventions all over the United States.
An Edwards Trombone Artist, Perkel earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas, a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Catholic University of America.