He co-founded the Austin Horn Camp, a week-long summer camp fostering ensemble playing and musical growth for Central Texas students. Beyond teaching, Curtis is a key member of the Austin Brass Collective, contributing to its formation in 2021 and serving as the Board Secretary. This collective delivers high-quality music to the Austin community while providing educational performances for local students. In addition to his musical pursuits, Curtis enjoys travel, hiking, movies, and quality time with his wife, Ashlyn, and their pets, Prika, Penny, and Paisley. Michael Simpson Michael Simpson is a teacher, conductor, composer, and performing musician in the Pacific Northwest United States. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Music and Education, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Washington, Seattle, where he studied horn with Christopher Leuba. Simpson studied jazz improvisation with legendary saxophonist Don Lanphere, and has performed with Karryn Allison, New York Voices, Bobby Shew, Bill Ramsay, Jiggs Whigham, Wycliffe Gordon, Pete Christlieb, John Pizzarelli, the Jim Knapp Orchestra, Seattle Rock Orchestra, the Long Winters, and Frank Sinatra, Jr. Mike continues to explore improvisation in the Horn world. He is a previous winner of the International Horn Symposium Jazz Horn competition and has presented jazz improvisation performances at many NW Horn Symposia and International Horn Symposia. He has led improvisation workshops in Washington, Idaho, and California, and has composed works for horn ensemble, horn quartet, and horn soloist. In 2024, Mike will be inducted into the Washington Music Educators Hall of Fame. Marie Smith Dr. Marie Smith is an avid teacher and performer. She teaches horn students of all ages and diligently develops confident and engaging musicians. Marie is an Assistant Instructional Professor at Pittsburg State University where she teaches music history and horn. She also teaches masterclasses and lessons for students in the Broken Arrow and Union school districts in the Tulsa area.
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