Uniting virtuosity and musical sensitivity, Caleb Hudson has carved out a unique space in the world of classical trumpet. A long-standing member of the esteemed Canadian Brass for over a decade, he has captivated international audiences. Hudson, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, earned both his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School. The New York Times has praised his artistry as “brilliantly stylish.”
In March 2024, Hudson released his debut solo album, Nothing Less, a testament to the art of ensemble-driven dialogue. Featuring a distinct blend of solo trumpet, violin, cello, flute, and clarinet, the music allows virtuosity and collaboration to intermingle seamlessly. The album introduces fresh compositions by Remy Le Boeuf, Kyle Athayde, and Hudson, himself, while also offering innovative takes on classics by Corelli and Philip Glass.
Hudson is acclaimed for his renditions of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, which he performs on both the modern piccolo trumpet and the historical baroque trumpet. This expertise has enabled solo engagements with renowned ensembles such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Handel and Haydn Society, and Philharmonia Baroque.
Hudson cofounded Triple Cortado, an innovative trio featuring Canadian Brass trombonist Achilles Liarmakopoulos and virtuosic pianist Ahmed Alom. This reimagined piano trio explores a diverse range of new compositions and arrangements, pushing the boundaries of brass chamber music.
Beyond performance, Hudson is deeply committed to expanding the brass repertoire. A prolific arranger and composer, his works are often performed by Canadian Brass. His original composition “White Rose Elegy” debuted at Lincoln Center, performed by the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass.
Hudson’s contributions also extend to educational literature; he was the recording artist for the groundbreaking Suzuki Trumpet School, Volume I. He credits his artistic growth to mentors such as Richard Byrd, Vincent DiMartino, Ken Larson, Raymond Mase, Mark Gould, and John Thiessen.
Currently, Hudson serves as associate professor of trumpet at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin. He has previously taught at the University of North Texas and Colorado State University, where his students have achieved professional success in both academic and performance realms. Deeply grateful for the opportunities and insights his musical journey has provided, Hudson is committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians.
HORN
Adam Unsworth
Adam Unsworth will begin a new position as professor of horn at the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music on September 1, 2025. He is currently professor of horn at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, where he has taught since 2007. He is also principal horn of the Ann Arbor Symphony. Unsworth was previously a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra (1998–2007) and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (1995–1998).
“Adam Unsworth is a well-respected pedagogue and performer whose wide-ranging career spans orchestral, chamber, and solo work in a broad range of genres, including classical, jazz, and new music. He will be a valuable addition to the Bienen School’s renowned performance faculty," said Dean Jonathan Bailey Holland.
As a soloist, Unsworth is featured on the Boston Modern Orchestra Project’s 2024 release Masks and Machines, performing Mondrian’s Studio by Paul Dooley. He has five recordings as a leader to his credit: Snapshots, a recording of contemporary classical music with composer/pianist Catherine Likhuta; Balance for jazz sextet and chamber orchestra; Just Follow Instructions, featuringthe chamber music of composer Daniel Schnyder; Next Step; and Excerpt This!, jazz recordings which received critical acclaim from jazz and classical reviewers alike. He appeared as soloist with the University of Michigan Symphony Band on the premiere performance of Mondrian’s Studio (2019) and the first studio recording of Dana Wilson’s Concerto for Horn and Wind Ensemble (2009).
Unsworth is a member of the New York–based Gil Evans Project big band, which received two Grammy nominations for its recordings Centennial and Lines of Color and won the 2013 Jazz Journalist Association Award for large jazz ensemble of the year. He is also part of Miho Hazama’s M-Unit band, appearing on her 2023 release Beyond Orbits and herGrammy-nominated recordings Dancer in Nowhere and Time River. He has been a guest musician with new music ensembles Alarm Will Sound, Meridian Arts Ensemble, and Ensemble Signal.
Unsworth received his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has toured Asia and Europe with the San Francisco Symphony and performs as a guest with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. For the past five years, he has performed with the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra and will serve as a faculty member at the Brevard Music Festival in summer 2025.
TROMBONE
Hillary Simms
Hailing from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, Hillary Simms is an acclaimed trombone soloist, collaborative artist, orchestral trombonist and occasional vocalist. Residing currently in New York City, Simms is the trombonist of the American Brass Quintet and is on faculty at the Juilliard School and Montclair State University.
Named as one of Canada’s top-30 classical musicians under 30, Simms gave her solo debut playing the Tomasi Concerto with the National Arts Center Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Shelley. She has since given performances of the David Concerto and the Raum Romance with NACO, as well as the Bruch Romanze with the US Army Orchestra along with several guest artist appearances at international festivals for trombone and brass.
Simms has performed in several orchestras throughout North America, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, National Arts Center Orchestra of Canada, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Canadian Opera Company, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Prior to her appointment with ABQ, she performed regularly with Seraph Brass and can be heard playing lead trombone on the album Then Is Now with Jens Lindemann and the Canadian All-Star Jazz Band. Sometimes you can even hear her subbing on Broadway!
Simms has been the recipient of numerous performance awards, including winning the American Trombone Workshop Solo Competition and the American Trombone Workshop Quartet Competition with two separate groups. Simms also won second prize at Le Concours Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and was a finalist in the Lätzsch Trombone Festival, the International Trombone Festival Solo Competition, and the M-Prize Chamber Competition. Simms is a recipient of the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation award and, upon graduation, was awarded the Tani-Salsinger Gold Medal of Excellence by McGill University, presented to one undergraduate student for excellence in music performance.
During the summers, Simms is on faculty at the Southeast Trombone Symposium and Aspen Summer Music Festival and School. She serves on the artistic committee for the Canadian Women’s Brass Collective and was previously on faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Simms holds a BM from McGill University, an MM from Yale University, an AD from the Glenn Gould School Royal Conservatory of Music, and is currently pursuing her DMA at Northwestern University.
