2026 Guest Artist Ashely Hall-Tighe Ashley Hall-Tighe is an internationally acclaimed trumpet soloist, chamber musician, educator, and coach, celebrated for performances that spark connection, curiosity, and deep personal engagement. With a career spanning more than two decades, she has graced many of the world’s most prestigious stages—from the Sydney Opera House to Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts—earning praise for her “warm tone, stunning technique, and expressive artistry” (Cincinnati Enquirer) and the “energetic joy” she brings to every performance (Rochester Post Bulletin).
Since 2008, Ashley has served as principal trumpet of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, helping bring vibrant, community-driven performances to life each summer through the ensemble’s dynamic Summermusik Festival. In 2023–2024, she toured globally with the iconic Canadian Brass, becoming only the second woman ever to join the ensemble and delighting audiences worldwide with its signature mix of virtuosity and humor.
Ashley has recently appeared in solo and chamber appearances across Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, England, and the United States. Highlights for 2025-2026 include guest appearances with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as principal trumpet, featured soloist with the Western Piedmont Symphony, featured soloist with the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony, and numerous cornet solo appearances with brass bands across the country. As a recitalist, she frequently performs with her piano duo partner, Ana María Otamendi, performing transcriptions of beloved classical works created for them by her husband, Nathaniel Tighe. The duo released an album in 2024, Upcycle, featuring many of the new works for trumpet and piano that they share in concert.
As an educator, Ashley blends musical excellence with deep insight into personal and artistic development. She supports the whole-person growth in her students and guides artists toward greater ease, intention, and impact. She currently serves on the trumpet faculty at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and has previously held positions at the Longy School of Music, University of Dayton, St. Olaf College, and the UNC School of the Arts. Her teaching specialties—efficiency, respiratory mechanics, upper-register development, and strategic practice planning—make her a sought-after clinician and mentor worldwide.
In addition to her performing and teaching, Ashley works with artists around the world through her private coaching practice, helping them navigate the inner and outer challenges of creative life. Her approach blends deep listening, mindset work, and practical strategy—empowering musicians to build resilient, fulfilling careers rooted in authenticity and artistic purpose. She was the founding director of the Career Coaching Program at Longy School of Music, where she guided several cohorts of students toward fulfilling careers that aligned with their values.
Ashley co-owns Maple Rise Music, a Cincinnati-based publishing company she founded with Nathaniel Tighe. She is also a Yamaha performing artist and endorses GR mouthpieces. Ashley lives in Cincinnati, OH, with her husband and their two amazing children.
To learn more about her work or upcoming performances, visit www.ashleyhalltighe.com or follow her on Instagram @ashleyhalltighe.
Since 2008, Ashley has served as principal trumpet of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, helping bring vibrant, community-driven performances to life each summer through the ensemble’s dynamic Summermusik Festival. In 2023–2024, she toured globally with the iconic Canadian Brass, becoming only the second woman ever to join the ensemble and delighting audiences worldwide with its signature mix of virtuosity and humor.
Ashley has recently appeared in solo and chamber appearances across Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, England, and the United States. Highlights for 2025-2026 include guest appearances with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as principal trumpet, featured soloist with the Western Piedmont Symphony, featured soloist with the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony, and numerous cornet solo appearances with brass bands across the country. As a recitalist, she frequently performs with her piano duo partner, Ana María Otamendi, performing transcriptions of beloved classical works created for them by her husband, Nathaniel Tighe. The duo released an album in 2024, Upcycle, featuring many of the new works for trumpet and piano that they share in concert.
As an educator, Ashley blends musical excellence with deep insight into personal and artistic development. She supports the whole-person growth in her students and guides artists toward greater ease, intention, and impact. She currently serves on the trumpet faculty at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and has previously held positions at the Longy School of Music, University of Dayton, St. Olaf College, and the UNC School of the Arts. Her teaching specialties—efficiency, respiratory mechanics, upper-register development, and strategic practice planning—make her a sought-after clinician and mentor worldwide.
In addition to her performing and teaching, Ashley works with artists around the world through her private coaching practice, helping them navigate the inner and outer challenges of creative life. Her approach blends deep listening, mindset work, and practical strategy—empowering musicians to build resilient, fulfilling careers rooted in authenticity and artistic purpose. She was the founding director of the Career Coaching Program at Longy School of Music, where she guided several cohorts of students toward fulfilling careers that aligned with their values.
Ashley co-owns Maple Rise Music, a Cincinnati-based publishing company she founded with Nathaniel Tighe. She is also a Yamaha performing artist and endorses GR mouthpieces. Ashley lives in Cincinnati, OH, with her husband and their two amazing children.
To learn more about her work or upcoming performances, visit www.ashleyhalltighe.com or follow her on Instagram @ashleyhalltighe.
2026 Guest Artist William Leathers Will Leathers earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The Juilliard School in 2022 and 2023 and was the first undergraduate classical trumpeter to receive the prestigious Kovner Fellowship. In 2022, while still completing his studies, Will secured the highly sought-after position of Principal Trumpet for both the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Fe Opera, an extraordinary accomplishment for a musician at his stage of career. He continued to break barriers, being recognized by CBC Music as one of Canada’s “30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30” and earning his Bachelor of Music in 2022 and his Master of Music in 2023, solidifying his place as one of his generation's most promising classical musicians.
He has performed with world-renowned ensembles, including New York Philharmonic Brass, Cleveland Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Guest Principal Trumpet), Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Guest Principal Trumpet), and Philadelphia Orchestra (Guest Associate Principal Trumpet). He also performs as a concerto soloist, both on piano and trumpet.
Will’s artistry has also led him to collaborations with elite chamber ensembles, including The National Brass Ensemble, where he was invited to perform and record with some of the finest brass musicians from major American orchestras, American Brass Quintet, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival Orchestra. He has been a part of a number of recordings such as "Deified", an album by the National Brass Ensemble, and Soundtrack for the film Rustin Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground.
Will is a performing artist for Bach Brass and Vennture Mouthpieces, where he is consulting on the development of a line of trumpet mouthpieces in his name.
He has performed with world-renowned ensembles, including New York Philharmonic Brass, Cleveland Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Guest Principal Trumpet), Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Guest Principal Trumpet), and Philadelphia Orchestra (Guest Associate Principal Trumpet). He also performs as a concerto soloist, both on piano and trumpet.
Will’s artistry has also led him to collaborations with elite chamber ensembles, including The National Brass Ensemble, where he was invited to perform and record with some of the finest brass musicians from major American orchestras, American Brass Quintet, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival Orchestra. He has been a part of a number of recordings such as "Deified", an album by the National Brass Ensemble, and Soundtrack for the film Rustin Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground.
Will is a performing artist for Bach Brass and Vennture Mouthpieces, where he is consulting on the development of a line of trumpet mouthpieces in his name.
2026 Guest Artist Joe Cooper Joseph Cooper is the trumpet professor at Oklahoma State University and a passionate teacher who loves helping young musicians grow. He has years of experience working with students of all ages, especially players who are building their skills and discovering their sound. He focuses on strong fundamentals, confidence, and making music fun and inspiring.
His students have gone on to incredible opportunities, including acceptance into top college trumpet studios across the country, careers in music education, and music performance. His students earned top spots in All-State band, orchestra, and jazz ensembles in Texas and Oklahoma, as well as the National Youth Orchestra. Recently, his college students won national auditions for principal trumpet of the Tulsa Symphony, the US Navy fleet bands, and Summer music festivals from California to New York. Other student success includes top finishes in the National Trumpet Competition and International Trumpet Guild Ryan Anthony memorial competitions.
In addition to extensive orchestral performance experience, he is especially excited about chamber music and creating new music for today’s audiences. In 2021, he co-founded the Composite Brass Duo with saxophonist John Salinas. Together, they perform at national and international conferences and have released their debut album Echo Chamber, available on all streaming platforms. Cooper joined the Mirari Brass Quintet in 2023 and is excited for the release of their next album Personality Test in 2026. He is actively involved with the International Trumpet Guild and the National Trumpet Competition, supporting students and trumpet players at every stage of their journey.
His students have gone on to incredible opportunities, including acceptance into top college trumpet studios across the country, careers in music education, and music performance. His students earned top spots in All-State band, orchestra, and jazz ensembles in Texas and Oklahoma, as well as the National Youth Orchestra. Recently, his college students won national auditions for principal trumpet of the Tulsa Symphony, the US Navy fleet bands, and Summer music festivals from California to New York. Other student success includes top finishes in the National Trumpet Competition and International Trumpet Guild Ryan Anthony memorial competitions.
In addition to extensive orchestral performance experience, he is especially excited about chamber music and creating new music for today’s audiences. In 2021, he co-founded the Composite Brass Duo with saxophonist John Salinas. Together, they perform at national and international conferences and have released their debut album Echo Chamber, available on all streaming platforms. Cooper joined the Mirari Brass Quintet in 2023 and is excited for the release of their next album Personality Test in 2026. He is actively involved with the International Trumpet Guild and the National Trumpet Competition, supporting students and trumpet players at every stage of their journey.