Brandon Smith is proud to be joining the University of Kentucky faculty as the Visiting Lecturer of tuba and euphonium. His studios have performed at various conferences including the Army Band Tuba and Euphonium Workshop, as well as the Southeast Regional Tuba and Euphonium conference. Students from his studio include winners and finalists of multiple competitions, including the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference solo artist competition, the Leonard Falcone solo artist competition, and the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition.

As a performer, he has served as principal tubist for the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra and the Albany Symphony Orchestra. He was awarded first prize in the 2019 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference’s Arnold Jacobs Mock Orchestra Competition and has been a finalist for tuba positions with the Florida Orchestra, Austin Symphony Orchestra, the United States Air Force Academy Band, and the United States Navy Band.

A native of Kingston Pennsylvania, Chris Bloom is a professional tubist and pedagogue. Chris is the principal tubist of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, regularly performs with the Tallahassee Symphony, and has played with the Westmoreland Symphony. He is a founding member of the Capital City Brass Quintet and has performed with the Tallahassee Symphony Brass Quintet, Panama City Symphony Brass Quintet and Nittany Valley Brass Quintet.

As a soloist, Chris has garnered success in multiple competitions, most notably earning first prize at the prestigious Leonard Falcone International Tuba & Euphonium Competition, first prize in the Midwest Regional Tuba & Euphonium Solo Competition, and first prize at The International Tuba Euphonium Conference Arnold Jacobs Mock Orchestral Audition.

Chris has presented guest artist recitals at the U.S. Army Band Tuba & Euphonium Workshop, the International Tuba Euphonium Conference, and numerous universities across the United States including Southern Arkansas University, Valdosta State University, and Stetson University. International masterclasses and guest recitals include residencies at the National University of Costa Rica, University of Costa Rica-Turrialba, Escuela Municipal de Musica Santo Domingo, and more.

In addition to his performing interests, Chris has a passion for teaching and maintains a studio of undergraduate music majors at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Chris holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and The Pennsylvania State University. His primary teachers include Dr. Matthew Hightower, Dr. Justin Benavidez, Craig Knox, and Velvet Brown.