Michael Whitaker – Trumpet

Description

Michael Whitaker’s career as an orchestral trumpet player has seen him perform as a casual musician in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Camerata, as well as a freelance artist in several hotspot venues such as the Home Of The Arts (Gold Coast) and Brisbane Powerhouse. Michael also currently teaches Trumpet and French Horn and directs middle school ensembles at The Southport School and The Southport Preparatory School on the Gold Coast. To date, he has worked with established theatre companies such as Understudy Productions and Brisbane Musical Theatre for high-profile productions such as Sweet Charity and YANK!. A long-lasting family heritage in the Maryborough Brass band inspired Michael to pursue his passion for the trumpet which has since led to a successful career in performance and education.

A recent Bachelor of Music graduate at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Michael studied under Sarah Butler – former Principal Trumpet of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. A versatile musician, Michael has performed as Principal Trumpet for the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and in 2020 held the position of Lead Trumpet in the Queensland Conservatorium Big Band and Con Artists Jazz Orchestra.

Michael’s knowledge of the Chicago and more recent Aarhus schools of brass pedagogy combined with experience and training in Accent Method Breathing has led to a successful portfolio of private students in both the Brisbane and Moreton Bay regions. Many of Michael’s students have achieved a Distinction in high level exams at the Australian Music Examinations Board.