Robbie Collins, MM

“I’m going to apply all I have and I’m going to do my very best and I’m just going to leave it in the Lord’s hands." - Phil Smith, former principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic

• Expertise
  My expertise lies within the fundamentals of trumpet playing and music theory. I believe that through the mastery of the fundamentals of your craft that one can find their own pure voice that God has given them.
• Teaching & Education
  Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet

  University of Kentucky
  Lexington, KY
  2024

  Certificate of Baroque Trumpet

  University of Kentucky

  Lexington, KY

  2024

  Master of Music in Performance

  East Carolina University

  Greenville, NC

  2021

  Bachelor of Arts in Music

  Gardner-Webb University

  Boiling Springs, NC

  2019
• Professional Experience

  I have worked with with many professional orchestras such as the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Celtic Woman Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic and with the Cincinnati Symphony Herald Trumpets. I have also performed in many diverse groups such as the Saxton’s Cornet Band, Lexington Brass Band, University of Kentucky faculty brass quintet, East Carolina University faculty brass quintet, and the International Trumpet Guild’s New Works Trumpet Ensemble. As a soloist I have won first prize in the classical music first prize in the Classical Music Stars International Competition in 2024. Additionally, I placed as a finalist in the 2024 North American Baroque Trumpet Competition for both the soloist and ensemble divisions. I have also competed multiple times in the National Trumpet Competition in both the soloist and ensemble categories. Education experience: While in Kentucky, I served as the trumpet instructor for two non-profit organizations, Central Music Academy and Wesley Academy of Music. Additionally, I have instructed multiple trumpet masterclasses across multiple states at both the High School and University level. During both my Master’s at East Carolina and Doctoral work at the University of Kentucky, I served as a TA; teaching multiple University courses and assisting in many projects for the schools. In 2023, I also served as a competition coach for the youth division of the International Trumpet Guild solo competition. Professional Affiliations: I currently serve as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Historic Brass Society, and as a graduate representative for the International Trumpet Guild’s Emerging Professionals committee. During the 23/24 season, I served as the personnel manager for the Lexington Brass Band.

• Selected Awards Received

  University of Kentucky Studio Scholar Award (2024), awarded by the UK Trumpet Studio Classical
  Music Stars International Competition (First Place: Age Group I) (2024)
  North American Baroque Trumpet Competition Finalist (2024), awarded by the Historic Brass Society
  University of Kentucky Outstanding Recital Award (2023), awarded by the UK Trumpet Studio North Carolina
  USS Deadlift Record, 765lbs (2021), awarded by United States Strongman inc.
  Gardner-Webb University Outstanding Orchestral Musician Award (2019), awarded by Gardner-Webb

• My Network

  While I am a trumpet player, thanks to God I am a musician first. The trumpet just happens to be my vehicle of expressing the gift the God has blessed me with. When I first started pursuing this passion, the only job that I could imagine for myself was to become an orchestral trumpet player. While I do enjoy playing in the orchestra, I love the ability to perform and share the experiences of being in a multitude of diverse groups. However, at this point in my life, I find that what I enjoy most is teaching students and helping them find their own musical voice that God has given them. Since I began my undergraduate degree I have been pursuing the dream that I will become a world class trumpet player, as well as a world class instructor. My goals have not changed; but they have become more tangible and defined. I intend on continuing to become a more well rounded Christian and musician, taking in as many new experiences as I can in order to become the best pedagogue that I am able to be for my students. My life goal is to attempt to impact my students the way that my mentors and teachers have impacted me. I hope to help guide them and learn with them to be the best that we can be; both in our crafts, and also the world around us.