Adrian Griffin

A native of the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area, Adrian Griffin grew up in a musical family, his father being a trumpeter and his mother a flutist. Surrounded by jazz and classical music, it was when Adrian started seventh grade that he discovered his passion for the trumpet. Through the guidance of his parents and his strong motivation, he soon realized that he was destined to pursue music as his life and career.

Adrian currently holds three advanced degrees in music education and trumpet performance. He completed his undergraduate studies at Northern Kentucky University under the tutelage of Jon Gresham (D.M.A. Cincinnati Conservatory of Music), where he graduated with a B.M.E. in music education and B.M. in trumpet performance. While pursuing his bachelor degree he won the third trumpet position with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, where he was the youngest member of the brass section. He held that position for five seasons under the direction of Maestro J.R. Cassidy.

Upon graduation in 1998, Adrian entered the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music to pursue a Masters in trumpet performance. He continued playing with the Kentucky Symphony andwon the second trumpet position with the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra in Toluca, Mexico in 1999. He declined the position in order to continue his studies with Marie Speziale, the first woman trumpeter to ever play in a major symphony orchestra. Adrian deepened musically and personally under her dynamic influence. During his tenure at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Adrian was able to play and record under some of the greatest conductors and musicians throughout the world, including the Moscow Radio Philharmonic during its United States tour. Adrian has also been a finalist and winner in many regional, international and national music competitions.

Upon graduation from Cincinnati, Adrian attended the University of Illinois School of Music under the direction of trumpeter Ray Sasaki to work on a Doctorate in Trumpet Performance. Within the first four months of his studies with Ray Sasaki, Adrian became the first trumpeter in several years to win concerto competition sponsored by the University of Illinois music school, and released his first, self-titled solo recording on the B&K label.

Upon completing his D.M.A. coursework, he was asked to perform the Eb solo cornet book with the touring Jack Daniel’s Brass Band. He has performed with the late Ray Charles, as well as some of this nation’s greatest musicians. In 2004 Adrian accepted the fourth trumpet position with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, where he continues to perform. A co-founder of the Austin Brass Quintet, he is also currently in the process of recording his second solo CD.

As a trumpet teacher in Austin and San Antonio, TX and with a trumpet studio of fifty students, Adrian continue to pass to his students his own experiences and love for music as well as the traditions of his prior teachers as well as starting a new tradition as Lecturer of Trumpet at University of Texas at San Antonio. His students have achieved recognition through state and regional solo performance and UIL competitions, and he is sought as a clinician for trumpet students regionally and nationally. In addition to teaching, Adrian enjoys an active solo and orchestral career, and looks forward to sharing his musical expertise with musicians and audiences worldwide through his teaching and performance.