Alias Brass

Brass Quintet

Described as “the only name for music innovation” by Martin Hackleman, formerly of the Empire and Canadian Brass, the Alias Brass Company, founded in 2013, is a collaboration of five uniquely talented artists from across the nation. The Alias Brass Company’s performances are comprised of standards and original compositions, along with concepts that blend virtuosic musicianship with a high level of entertainment. From Baroque and Classical, to Jazz and Pop, the Alias Brass Company’s shows are “a sure-fire hit; chamber music of the future with something for everyone!”

The Alias Brass Company demonstrates their artistic range with an array of different shows that take audiences on an emotional journey by combining diverse elements of classical music, modern pop-culture, and all things in between to create an experience that is both engaging and exciting. Receiving critical acclaim for being captivating, diverse, and innovative, Alias Brass continues to dazzle audiences across North and South America.

Members of the Alias Brass Company are true champions of music education dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians and music lovers through wide-reaching and relevant workshops for young audiences. Alias is active throughout the school year, providing clinics, master classes, and demonstrations to young musicians and non-musicians alike, focusing on musical innovation, creativity, technique, and expression through music.

Alias's "Tech-Tet Creativity Seminar" is a one-of-a-kind presentation for emerging young musicians, and has been given at the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of Missouri- Kansas City, and other prestigious academic institutions. The seminar is an interactive event that focuses on the challenges and benefits that come with creating chamber music in the 21st Century. In addition to important performance insights, the seminar looks at creativity, brainstorming techniques, development and management, funding, promotion, and of course, inspiration. This presentation is a must for musicians wanting to make a go at performing professionally in an ever-changing musical environment.

No stranger to the international stage, the Alias Brass Company has performed at such venues as the Banff Centre for the Arts 2018 Summer Music Concert Series and the 2017 International Horn Symposium in Natal, Brazil. They have also been highlighted as featured artists at the 2017 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Alias has been awarded professional residencies at the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute in Denver, Colorado, and the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada. They have performed countless concerts throughout the United States and Canada, touring extensively in such areas as the Pacific Midwest, Midwest, Texas, Georgia, California and Missouri. Additionally, they have performed and given masterclasses across the United States as performers on the 2017-18 Allied Concert Services roster.

Dr. Natalie Brooke Higgins

Horn

Currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Music in Horn at the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music. Dr. Higgins received her Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, Masters of Music from George Mason University, and Bachelor of the Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles.  

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Dr. Higgins is an active performer, educator, administrator, and entrepreneur.  Based on her innovative achievements, service to her community, and commitment to inspire the next generation of musicians and music educators, she was recently recognized as one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 Under 40 honorees, a feature that celebrates the best and brightest in business, government, nonprofits, education, healthcare, banking, and professional sports.

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As an active soloist, Dr. Higgins is a prizewinner of the International Winds, Brass, and Percussion Enkor Competition, finalist of the Music Teacher’s National Association Young Artist Brass Competition, and winner of the St. Louis Artist Presentation Series.  Dr. Higgins has studied and participated in masterclasses with many internationally recognized and accomplished brass performers and teachers.

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Dr. Higgins is a co-founder and the managing member of the Alias Brass Company.  

Jonathan Bhatia

Principle Trumpet

Currently the Instructor of Music in Trumpet at Lamar University's Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music. He was a prizewinner at the International Prize Competition in Tuscany, Italy, a featured artist at the 2017 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Hershey, PA and a contributing artist at the 2017 International Horn Symposium in Natal, Brazil. Jonathan is also a three time winner of the Stanley Wilson Award, and the only two time winner of the Fred Ohlendorf Award for outstanding musicianship.

As a recording artist, Jonathan has been featured on National Public Radio, can be heard playing on various films including the animated feature film Duck Duck Goose, and releases recorded performances on a regular basis on his YouTube channel he shares with hornist Natalie Brooke Higgins called the BrassHaus Network.

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Jonathan Bhatia holds two degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied with Jens Lindemann and Tom Hooten. Additional mentors include Mark

Hughes and Rob Roy McGregor.

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Jonathan is a co-founder of the Alias Brass Company.

Dr. Timothy Dueppen

Trombone

Is an in demand international performing artist and educator.  As a performer, Tim is known for his smooth sound, vibrant musicality, and ability to perform everything from Jazz to Baroque music. He has toured with John Marcellus in New York and Pennsylvania, including performances at Carnegie Hall in New York City and the National Presbyterian Cathedral in Washington D.C. Additionally, he was a member of the international brass quintet Metales M5 and toured extensively throughout North and South America.

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Tim has made appearances on international television for his performances in Colombia, Canada, and the United States.  In 2017, his brass trio, the Tephra Collective, released their first international album “Distorted Mirrors” to rave reviews. Tim is also an active freelance trombonist in the U.S. Additionally, Tim has made recordings for the Disney Corporation and recorded music for the 2011 Miss USA Pageant. Serving as Assistant Professor of Music in trombone at Lamar University’s Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music since 2014.

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He is currently Principal Trombonist with the Symphony of Southeast Texas.  He is a performing artist sponsored by Denis Wick and BAC Custom Trombones.

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Tim is a co-founder of the Alias Brass Company.

Clayton Maddox

Tuba

A native of South Bay, Florida, is an active soloist, educator, and freelance musician.   He currently holds positions with Arkansas Tech University and Henderson State University, where he is Visiting Lecturer of Music and Adjunct Instructor of Music. 

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Clayton has competed in and placed in many solo tuba competitions including, the Leonard Falcone International solo artist competition, the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference solo artist and chamber music competition, and the University of Alabama's Concerto-Aria Competition. As an award winning chamber artist he is the 1st tuba of the Boreas Quartet, which debuted its first album, “The Serpent’s Kiss”, in 2014, and has since received the Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording from the International Tuba and Euphonium Association. 

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Clayton has been a guest artist with several professional orchestras, among them, The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony, and the Orquesta de Sinfonica in Monterrey, Mexico. 

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Clayton holds degrees from the University of Alabama, the University of Memphis, and Florida State College, where his primary teachers have included Dr. Demondrae Thurman, Paul Weikle, Paul Ebbers, and James Jenkins.  

Aaron Woolley

Trumpet

Is a Los Angeles-based trumpet player and educator.  Aaron has studied with David Washburn, Bob Slack, Tom Hooten, Jens Lindemann, and Tim Saeger. Aaron received his Bachelor of Music from the University of California, Los Angeles and his Masters of Music from Azusa Pacific University.

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As a freelance artist, Aaron can be heard on recordings such as “Room 3A”, a Japanese TV drama, “Song of Hope” with Jens Lindemann, and the “Miners’ Hymn” a film on the history of coal mining in Northern England.  He has also performed world-premieres on the stage of Royce Hall, and has opened for the Rolling Stone’s 50th anniversary tour.

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In 2013, Aaron enlisted in the California Army National Guard and subsequently graduated from the U. S. Armed Forces School of Music. Upon graduating, Aaron won a place on Colonel Bruce Pulver’s Commandant’s List. The Commandant’s List is reserved for the top ten percent of soldiers who demonstrate musical excellence and achievement in a wide variety of leadership and soldiering tasks.

During his time with the 40th Infantry Division, Aaron has performed in over 50 concerts, including the 2016 Fourth of July celebration, where he was a featured soloist in front of over 20,000 attendees.