What/who inspired you to pursue music professionally?
I started taking private lessons in 8th grade with Todd Jenkins, who was an undergrad music major at the time. He made practicing seem fun, and the path he was pursuing as a musician was instantly very appealing to me. Todd was very encouraging and invited me to attend a lot of inspiring musical events in my hometown of Columbia, SC. I felt very at home with this musician community right away, and I knew I’d found my people.
What do you love about the trumpet in general and your instrument in particular?
I’ve learned to love the invisible nature of what makes the trumpet work. Just as a violinist has a bow they use to play, our “bow” on the trumpet is the airstream – sort of like an inner whistle. A lot of what used to make brass playing such a mystery to me has become what I love the most about it now.
Which concert this season are you most looking forward to?
I’m excited about a lot of music this season, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be Bartók Concerto for Orchestra.
What is your favorite thing about Tucson?
Besides the people here, the thing I love the most about Tucson is the natural beauty. I love the many hiking trails, the Desert Museum, Mt Lemmon, Sabino Canyon, and the nice view from anywhere in the city.
Can you tell me about the other important positions (YCP Instructor, brass quintet) you hold at the TSO?
A big part of my job as 2nd trumpet is playing with the TSO brass & percussion ensemble. This is super rewarding artistically, and it also means I get to spend a lot of time with my husband (principal tuba, David Morgan), and some of my best friends! We play about 40 performances each year, many of which are at schools all over Tucson. One of my favorite performances we do each year is the Just for Kids series, when my wonderful colleagues kindly tolerate all the nonsense I put them through with the children’s shows I’ve written!
Aside from performance work, I have the great privilege of teaching the Introductory class of the TSO Young Composers Project. I adore this program, and I have felt lucky to be involved with it as a TSO musician over the past 20+ years, so having the opportunity to teach one of the classes for the past 4 years has been such a joy. I love getting to know these students right at the ignition phase of their journeys and then having the opportunity to perform their music as they move through the intermediate and advanced classes.
As a teacher, what advice do you give your students who are considering a career in music?
A creative and persistent work ethic matters so much more than what we think of as initial “talent”. A lot of our success as brass players comes from patience, thoughtful practicing, and from the right sort of focused effort. I like to say that, if someone is trying to screw a lid onto a jar and it’s not threaded correctly, “trying harder” is never going to work. Instead, the lid must be removed, and the right thread has to be found. We have to seek balance first and foremost. Once we have our physical efficiency, we are free to communicate as artists.
As a veteran member of the TSO, what are some of your favorite TSO memories?
It’s hard to choose only a few! I’ll never forget the brass quintet’s Just for Kids shows – seeing Victor as the legendary Vickee Valdez, Mike as First Mate Biscotti, Dave as Captain Schnook, and Hayato as my twin as we fought off pirates. I’ll always be grateful for the time José Luis conducted a little orchestral arrangement I wrote. Dave’s tuba concerto was a highlight for sure, as well as the many times our friends have been featured as soloists. Too many fun memories to count with the many trumpet section members who have come and gone over the past couple of decades. And then of course I have countless wonderful memories of Sunday evening gatherings after a long week of performances.