Stephen M. Wadsack
Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Brass Area Coordinator
Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music
Geer College of the Arts
About:
Stephen M. Wadsack joined the faculty at Kennesaw State University in Fall 2024 as
the full-time professor of trumpet and head of the Brass Area at the Bailey School
of Music. Beyond his applied teaching responsibilities within the Trumpet Studio,
Dr. Wadsack leads weekly warmup classes, trumpet studio class, and informal sessions
on group listening and mindfulness practices for music students. Additionally, Wadsack
coordinates the University's brass chamber groups and coaches several award-winning
student ensembles.
Performance:
Wadsack performs regularly throughout the United States and Europe with symphony orchestras,
wind ensembles, and as a recitalist. He has quickly identified himself as one of the
premier trumpeters within the Greater Atlanta area, performing with the Georgia Ballet
Orchestra, in off-Broadway shows, and as an in-demand freelance musician. Prior to
arriving in Georgia, Wadsack also performed as an extra musician with numerous symphony
orchestras throughout the Midwest, including: the Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati
Chamber Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Bach Society, Lexington Philharmonic,
Richmond Symphony, and Springfield Symphony, among others. Additionally, he has performed
and taught at dozens of universities and music festivals worldwide, most recently
appearing at the Corfu International Trumpet Festival (Greece) and numerous International
Trumpet Guild (ITG) conferences.Creative Activity, Research, and Scholarship:
Dr. Wadsack is a champion of new music, leading numerous solo commissions and serving
as a consortium member of multiple compositions for trumpet by award-winning composers
such as Martin Hebel, Marcus Grant, and Katahj Copley. As an academic researcher,
Wadsack has presented his publications at Ionian University (Greece), the Historic
Brass Society International Symposium, the North American Baroque Trumpet Conference,
and several ITG conferences. Dr. Wadsack is also published in both the ITG Journal
and the Wyoming Windsong Music Educators' Journal.
Service:
In addition to his appointment at Kennesaw State, Wadsack maintains an active schedule
as a guest artist, clinician, and adjudicator for various high school, collegiate,
and professional organizations around the United States, as both a performer and conductor.
He has served as an official judge for the National Trumpet Competition, the ITG Scholarship
and Youth Competitions, numerous state MEA competitions, and jazz festivals from Alaska
to Wyoming. Wadsack enjoys innovating in areas surrounding enhancement of the student
experience, which led to his recognition as the 2024 College of Liberal Arts Outstanding
Faculty Member at Wright State University, where he previously taught as professor
of trumpet and Director of Jazz Studies.
