Shenandoah Conservatory has appointed classical trumpeter and gold medal Global Music Award winner Mary Elizabeth Bowden, M.M., as assistant professor of trumpet beginning August 2019. Bowden succeeds Professor of Trumpet and Conducting Scott Nelson, D.M.A., who retires at the end of the 2018/19 academic year after more than 30 years of service at Shenandoah.
Highly regarded for her artistry, collaborative musicianship, teaching, and virtuosity, Bowden is the first prize winner of the International Women’s Brass Conference Trumpet Competition, founding member of Chrysalis Chamber Players, a recipient of a Yale Alumni Grant, and founder of Seraph Brass, a dynamic brass ensemble that draws from a roster of America’s top female brass players. A Yamaha Performing Artist, Bowden has been described by Gramophone Magazine as “brilliant” and “radiant in new repertoire for trumpet.”
I’m thrilled that Ms. Bowden is joining our conservatory community. Beyond being an extraordinary musical artist, Ms. Bowden is a skillful teacher, thoughtful mentor, and brings with her an unusually innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.”
Shenandoah Conservatory Dean and Professor of Music Michael Stepniak, Ed.D
For us, Bowden represented the perfect blend of the qualities needed to continue developing our trumpet studio into one of the finest in the world. She’s an internationally recognized and consummate artist, a 21st-century entrepreneur, and a compassionate, accomplished and articulate educator.”
Chair of Instrumental Division and Professor of Saxophone Timothy Roberts, D.M.A. | On behalf of the search committee
Bowden has performed and coached at many leading chamber music programs and festivals around the world, including Marlboro Music Festival, The Banff Centre, Lakes Area Music Festival and the Sydney Opera House under the baton of Håkan Hardenberger. She released her debut album, “Radiance,” on Summit Records featuring new American works. She has been featured on NPR’s “New Classical Tracks” with Julie Amacher, aired on NPR stations nationwide. Bowden’s all-female brass ensemble, Seraph Brass, has been featured in major conferences and festivals, and its 2018 debut album “Asteria” (Summit Records) has been awarded a Silver Medal Global Music Award.
A leading artist and musical collaborator, Bowden is on the roster for the World and European Brass Association, and has performed as a soloist and principal chair at major international venues and festivals throughout the world, including The Banff Center, Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, Montana’s Big Sky Festival and International Trumpet Festival in Gran Canaria among others. An experienced orchestral musician, Bowden is currently principal trumpet of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra and has served as principal trumpet for major national and international orchestras, including New Zealand’s Auckland Philharmonia and the Daejeon Philharmonic in Korea.
Bowden began full-time college studies at the age of 14, receiving an associate degree from Joliet Junior College. Subsequently, she earned her Bachelor of Music degree from The Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with the principal trumpeter of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Bilger. She was awarded her Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music where she studied with Allan Dean.
