Trumpet artist Garrett Klein has garnered an international reputation for his varied performing career and dedicated teaching. In 2019, he joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In the role of Assistant Professor of Trumpet, he heads the vibrant UNCG Trumpet Studio, serves as Brass Area Chair, and directs the UNCG Trumpet Ensemble.
As a former member of the esteemed Dallas Brass, Klein toured the United States from 2017 to 2022, presenting concerts that captivated audiences with virtuosic playing and engaging showmanship. With Dallas Brass, Klein presented at top universities and conservatories, performed as soloists with respected large ensembles, and presented at several music educator conferences.
Currently, Klein performs with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra as Principal Trumpet. He is also the Principal Solo Cornet of the North Carolina Brass Band and a member of the newly formed Brass Impact ensemble. Guest appearances have come with Presidio Brass and the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass. As an orchestral musician, Klein has performed with the Charlotte Symphony, Winston-Salem Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, and Minnesota Orchestra. While a student, Klein spent summers at the Aspen Music Festival and the National Repertory Orchestra.
An active soloist, Klein has performed several solo recitals at venues throughout the country. He has also been a featured soloist with bands at UNC Greensboro, the Minnesota Symphonic Winds, St. Olaf Band, St. Olaf Norseman Band, and the Gustavus Wind Orchestra. A proud promoter of new music for trumpet, Klein has commissioned several new works for trumpet including a concerto for trumpet and wind ensemble by composer Nathan Hudson. Klein has been invited on several occasions to perform new works at the International Trumpet Guild Conference.
Dr. Klein is in demand as an educator, having presented masterclasses for students of all ages across the US and Southeast Asia. Prior to teaching at UNCG, Klein taught at St. Olaf College and Gustavus Adolphus College, both in Minnesota. With an eye to the future of trumpet pedagogy, he has served as an artist, adjudicator, and consultant for the Next Generation Trumpet Competition. He has hosted the National Trumpet Competition at UNCG and has served as an adjudicator for the competition. Klein’s latest educational project is a new book of trumpet fundamentals called “Collaborative Practice Routines,” which seeks to promote group practice and ignite a sense of community amongst trumpet students.
Klein studied at Arizona State University, earning the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees, along with a Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy. Prior to studying at ASU, he attended the prestigious Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore, studying trumpet and conducting. His Bachelor of Music degree comes from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Klein’s primary teachers have been Steven Hagen, Dr. Martin Hodel, Benny Nguyen, and David Hickman. Outside of music, Klein is a passionate tennis player and enjoys discovering links between music and tennis. Together with his wife, Mara and son, Niko, they enjoy traveling the world, spending time in the mountains, and playing with their dog, Scout.
Garrett Klein is an endorsing artist for Conn-Selmer and proudly performs on Vincent Bach trumpets.