Dr. Donny Albrecht is an accomplished trumpet performer and educator, balancing a dynamic career as both a freelance musician and a professor at Frostburg State University. In his role as Professor of Trumpet, he teaches both undergraduate and graduate students in jazz and classical trumpet. With over 16 years of experience, Dr. Albrecht has taught at several prestigious music institutions, shaping the careers of many students who have gone on to professional success in music and studied at top universities.
A member of the Local 161-710 Musicians Union, Dr. Albrecht is an active performer throughout the Washington, DC, area, regularly playing in theaters and performance venues across the DMV. He has had the privilege of freelancing nationwide, performing with renowned artists such as The Eagles, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Alison Krauss, Doc Severinsen, Tito Puente Jr., Tony Succar, Brenda K. Starr, The Latin Jazz All Stars, Eddie Palmieri, Oscar Arriaga, Chuck Redd, Don Braden, Ernie Watts, Glen Wilson, The US Army Ambassadors, and countless others. His extensive performance experience includes collaborations with the York Symphony Orchestra, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, American Pops Orchestra, and the National Tree Lighting Orchestra, among others.
Dr. Albrecht's career extends into studio work, where his contributions can be heard on numerous recordings with groups like the Studio A Band and Washington Winds at Omega Recording Studios.
A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Dr. Albrecht honed his craft under the mentorship of Charlie Lewis and Lin Biviano. He furthered his studies with Jay Saunders at the University of North Texas, before moving to New York City, where he studied at the Aaron Copland School of Music under the guidance of Michael Philip Mossman. He also studied with notable trumpet players like Tony Kadleck and Nick Marchione.
After earning his Master’s degree from the Aaron Copland School, Dr. Albrecht completed his Doctorate in Music at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, studying with renowned trumpet educators Tito Carrillo, Ronald Romm, and Charles Daval. He also pursued private studies with Bobby Shew during this time.
Dr. Albrecht’s dissertation, Lead Trumpet Style: A Stylistic Analysis of Modern Lead Trumpet Playing through the Examination of Five Prominent Lead Trumpet Players, features in-depth interviews and stylistic analysis of trumpet legends Wayne Bergeron, Tanya Darby, Jon Faddis, Tony Kadleck, and Bobby Shew.
