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 and educators 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.

Committed to promoting an image of music that is inclusive, the Alias Brass Company strives to fulfill their mission of ensuring that music remains sustainable and thriving in today’s society by presenting works that represent a variety of global styles, genders, and cultures.  Through setting an example that powerful music can be created by and for anyone, Alias creates a gateway into classical music for future musicians and music lovers alike.

Members of the Alias Brass Company are true champions of music education dedicated to inspiring the next generation 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 innovation, creativity, technique, and expression through music.  

No stranger to the international stage, the Alias Brass Company has performed at such venues as the Banff Centre for the Arts Summer Music Concert Series and the International Horn Symposium in Natal, Brazil. They have also been highlighted as featured artists at the 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. The ensemble has performed countless concerts throughout the United States and Canada, touring extensively in such areas as the Pacific Midwest, Midwest, Texas, Georgia, California and Missouri on such concert series as the Singletary Center Concert Series and Trinity Concert Series among others. Additionally, they have performed and given masterclasses across the United States as performers on the Allied Concert Services roster.

Jonathan Bhatia

Trumpet

Jonathan Bhatia is a Yamaha Performing Artist and the Lecturer of Trumpet at the University of Nevada, Reno Department of Music. Jonathan has performed in various venues and competitions across the globe. He was a prizewinner at the International Prize Competition in Tuscany, Italy, a featured artist at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Hershey, PA and a contributing artist at the International Horn Symposium in Natal, Brazil. 

As a founding member of the Alias Brass Company, Jonathan can be found making numerous performance and masterclass appearances around the world. In addition to regularly performing with the Alias Brass Company, Jonathan has performed with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, All-Star Brass, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, Brazos Valley Symphony, Symphony of Southeast Texas, Columbus Ballet, Great Basin Brass Quintet, and the Southeast Symphony. He has also held positions with the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra as their tenured Principal Trumpet, the American Youth Symphony as their second trumpet, and was fortunate enough to play alongside Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson in a live performance of “The Miners’ Hymn” which was featured in the Los Angeles Times’ List of the Best 25 Classical Moments of 2014. As a recording artist, Jonathan has been featured on National Public Radio, can be heard playing on various films and albums including the animated feature film Duck Duck Goose, Jens Lindemann’s album ‘Northern Lights’ and various recorded performances on his YouTube channel he shares with hornist Natalie Brooke Higgins, the BrassHaus Network.

Jonathan’s flair for trumpet solo performance has earned him numerous appearances with ensembles of varying scope and size. Jonathan was featured as a soloist with the University of California, Los Angeles’ Philharmonia, the Debut Orchestra for their 60th Gala Celebration, and the Soul of the City Concert Series in Beaumont, TX with the Lamar University Brass Ensemble.

As a college professor, Jonathan educates undergraduate and graduate music performance, and music education trumpet students weekly through applied lessons, studio classes, and chamber ensembles. Prior to his appointment at the University of Nevada, Reno, Jonathan held the position of Instructor of Music in Trumpet at Lamar University, a Texas State University.

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.

Dr. T. J. Tesh

Trumpet

Dr. T.J. Tesh is among the newest members of the School of Music faculty at The University of Southern Mississippi, having assumed his position as the Assistant Professor of Trumpet in August of 2016. T.J. relocated to Mississippi after an exciting and successful career as a freelance trumpeter and music educator in the Los Angeles area. Dr. Tesh is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Pickett Brass Artist, and has enjoyed an eclectic performance career, having performed with music legends like Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Patti Austin, Take 6, Quincy Jones, Dave Koz, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and many others. Prior to leaving Los Angeles, T.J. recorded, toured and performed around the globe for three years as a member of the internationally-celebrated brass quintet, Presidio Brass. Dr. Tesh has also toured and performed throughout the United States and Canada with Victory Brass, the Southern Arts Brass Quintet, and with Mel Brooks’ Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, The Producers, where he served as principal trumpet.  T.J. is a current member of the Alias Brass Company, principal trumpet in the Meridian Symphony, acting principal trumpet in the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, and served as Guest Principal Trumpet last season in the Mobile Symphony. T.J.’s debut solo recording, Adaptations for Trumpet, was released in November of 2017.

T.J. received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trumpet Performance and Music Education from The University of Southern California in 2012, having previously completed his Master of Music in Trumpet Performance at The University of Kentucky in 2004 and his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Mars Hill College in 2002.

Dr. Natalie Brooke Higgins

Horn

Natalie Brooke Higgins, is an active performer, educator, administrator, and entrepreneur located in Reno, Nevada.  She currently holds the positions of hornist and founding member of both the BrassHaus Network and the Alias Brass Company, affiliate artist with the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, media coordinator for the International Horn Competition of America, and Assistant Professor of Horn at the University of Nevada, Reno.  Based on her innovative achievements, service to her community, and commitment to inspire the next generation of musicians and music educators, she has been 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 a performer, Natalie has been featured in concert series and clinics across the country, has been a featured artist at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Hershey, PA, and has participated as a contributing artist at the International Horn Symposium in Natal, Brazil.  She is a prizewinner of the International Winds, Brass, and Percussion Enkor Competition, winner of both the Music Teacher’s National Association State and Regional Young Artist Brass Competitions, and finalist of the National Round, and winner of the St. Louis Artist Presentation Series.  Natalie has also performed with such ensembles as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, South Dakota Symphony, Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, Southwest Florida Symphony, Symphony of Southeast Texas, Macon Pops, St. Joseph Symphony, American Festival Orchestra, Banff Festival Orchestra, and Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

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As an educator, Natalie has instructed and adjudicated throughout North America.  In addition to her current University post, she has held the positions of Assistant Professor of Horn at the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music, Adjunct Professor of horn and high brass methods at Missouri Western State University.  Natalie was a featured artist at Lamar University's Brass Festival, Southeast Missouri State’s Horn Day, and has given clinics and performances at such workshops as the International Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Missouri Music Educators Association Conference, Oklahoma Horn Day, Southeast Horn Workshop, and the Western Horn Workshop.

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As an administrator and artistic innovator, Natalie co-founded the Schwob Summer Music Festival, the Kansas City Horn Club, and has held positions as the George Mason University Symphony Orchestra and Library Manager, The Gluck Foundation Chamber Music Program Coordinator, and the Gluck Foundation Music Partnership Coordinator. 

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Natalie 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 a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles.  She has studied with many internationally recognized and accomplished brass performers and teachers, among them Martin Hackleman, Chris Cooper, Brian O’Connor, Pete Nowlen, Jens Lindemann, and Patrick Sheridan. 

Dr. Timothy Dueppen

Trombone

International performing and recording trombonist Timothy Dueppen is in demand across North and South America for his work both on stage and as a music 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. He is a proud founding member of the Alias Brass Company, a professional touring brass quintet that recently returned from international performance tours in Brazil and Canada, and national level performances in nearly every state in the U.S. Former Canadian and Empire Brass Hornist Martin Hackelman has written that Alias’ performances contain “not only virtuosic playing, but humor, passion and action as well. Alias Brass is one of the freshest chamber groups out there.” 

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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. and has performed with jazz greats Horace Silver, John Clayton, Bill Watrous, Kenny Burrell, Bill Evans, and others. He has also performed with numerous pop icons in stage performances including Frankie Valli, and Wayne Newton. Additionally, Tim has made recordings for the Disney Corporation and recorded music for the 2011 Miss USA Pageant. Serving as an Associate Professor of Music in trombone at Lamar University’s Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music since 2014, Tim has built a strong reputation as a pedagogue across North and South America. Tim has also given master classes at numerous colleges, universities, and secondary schools, including at the International Festival of Music in Cartagena, Colombia.

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Tim has played with the Houston Symphony (as a member of Virtuosi of Houston), Disney Jazz Band, Opera Pasadena Festival Orchestra, Golden States Pops Orchestra, Lone Star Lyric Opera, Intermountain Opera Orchestra, Montana Ballet Orchestra, Bozeman Symphony, Rapides Symphony, Kingwood Chamber Orchestra and others. He is currently Principal Trombonist with the Symphony of Southeast Texas and has performed the Albrechtsberger alto trombone concerto with the orchestra, jazz trombone solos, and organized and performed on the symphony’s chamber music series, “SOST on the Town.” He is a performing artist sponsored by the Denis Wick Company based out of London, and presents for the corporation at numerous events, including the Midwest Clinics in Chicago and the Texas Music Educators Convention in San Antonio. Tim is also a performing artist for BAC Custom Trombones based out of Kansas City, and is currently performing on a new BAC trombone model that fuses innovative design and the ability to perform in styles such as jazz, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire. He is proud to currently perform as a member of the Lamar Faculty Brass Quintet, the Tephra Collective, the Symphony of Southeast Texas, and the Alias Brass Company. Tim serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Diocese of Beaumont and as director of music at historic St. Anthony’s Cathedral Basilica. Visit Tim online at www.trombonetim.com.

Clayton Maddox

Tuba

Clayton Maddox, a native of South Bay, Florida, is an active soloist, educator, and freelance musician.   He currently holds the positions of Lecturer of Music and Adjunct Instructor of Music  at Henderson State University and the Huel D. Perkins Fellow at Louisiana State University where he is pursuing his doctoral studies.

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. 

As an in demand soloist he has traveled to Tokyo, Japan to perform a recital at the Yamaha Headquarters, Sapporo, Japan where he performed at the Sapporo Clock Tower, and Madison, Wisconsin where he performed with the University of Wisconsin Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble. 

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. 

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