Christian Howard, A.B.D.

Christian Howard is a trombonist and low brass artist based in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.

As an orchestral musician, Christian has performed with New York City’s LoftOpera, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and held the position of Principal Trombone with Chautauqua Summer Festival from 2014 to 2017. Equally at home as a soloist, Mr. Howard has performed as a soloist with the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic. He has also been a finalist for positions with The Orchestra Now, as well as United States Military Premier Bands.

Mr. Howard is a sought-after chamber musician. He has performed with Compass Rose Brass Ensemble, was a fellow at Atlantic Brass Quintet Seminar from 2009 to 2012, and was a requested member of the Boston University Trombone Choir. While attending Mannes School of Music for his master’s degree, he toured the United States with the Mannes Trombone Quartet. Additionally, he was a full-tuition fellowship recipient at the Third Coast Trombone Seminar in 2018 and 2019.

As an educator, Mr. Howard has taught privately for over a decade, having students go on to study music across the United States. He was a low brass coach for the Mannes School of Music preparatory division from 2016 to 2018 and is a regular low brass coach for the Greater Twin Cities Youth Orchestras. Some of Mr. Howard’s students have gone on to study at such fine institutions as The Eastman School of Music, Rice University, and Harvard University.

Mr. Howard received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Boston Conservatory and his Master’s degree from Mannes School of Music. He is currently a doctoral candidate at University of Minnesota, where he holds an ABD status. Mr. Howard’s primary teachers include Thomas Ashworth, University of Minnesota, Steve Lange, Boston Symphony, and Weston Sprott, Metropolitan Opera.

Faculty member since 2021