About Me

Derek Gullett of Uniontown, Ohio has established himself as one of the world’s most accomplished up-and-coming young trombonists. It was at age 12 that he began his studies on the trombone. However, it wasn’t until he was age 15 that he had his first trombone lesson with James Albrecht, now principal trombonist of the Reno Philharmonic.

Outside of high school hours, he was the principal trombonist of numerous youth ensembles such as the Canton Youth Symphony, Akron Youth Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, and Ohio All-State Orchestra. Halfway through high school, he began to study trombone under Richard Stout, second trombonist of the Cleveland Orchestra. Later in high school, he began to take on professional engagements, such as being the principal trombonist of both the Akron Civic Theater Orchestra and the Freedom Brass Band of Akron, Ohio.

Following high school, Derek enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music on a full-tuition fellowship to further his studies with Nitzan Haroz and Matthew Vaughn, principal and co-principal trombonists of the Philadelphia Orchestra, respectively. Later, he began to have supplementary studies on bass trombone with Blair Bollinger, bass trombonist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Partway into his time at Curtis, he began to perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra and can be heard on numerous recording projects of theirs. As a student, he spent summers as a member of the National Repertory Orchestra and the Music Academy of the West, where he studied with Mark Lawrence, former principal trombonist of the San Francisco Symphony, and Weston Sprott, second trombonist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Additional studies with Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic and professor of trombone at the Juilliard School, were also very influential. Some of his other professional engagements include appearances at the Bravo! Vail Music Festival including a program presented by the New York Philharmonic as well as serving as the principal and solo trombonist of both the Breckenridge International Festival of the Arts Chamber Orchestra and the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra (as well as bass trumpeter) in Lucerne, Switzerland. During the 2023-2024 season, Derek also served as principal trombonist of the Lima Symphony Orchestra in Lima, Ohio. He has also had the honor of appearing as guest principal trombone with both the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Ottawa, Ontario and the Erie Philharmonic in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Over the course of his career thus far, Derek has had the opportunity to tour the world with many ensembles and has performed in coveted halls such as Marian Anderson Hall, Severance Hall, KKL Luzern, Musikverein Wien, David Geffen Hall, and Carnegie Hall. He has also had the pleasure of collaborating with world-renowned conductors such as Franz Welser-Möst, Michael Tilson-Thomas, Osmo Vänskä, Marin Alsop, JoAnn Falletta, John Williams, Rafael Payare, Michael Stern, Hannu Lintu, and Yannick Nezet-Seguin. 

In addition to being a passionate performer, Derek is equally at home in a teaching environment. He has served as the Instructor of Brass at Girard College in Philadelphia and maintains a private studio of brass musicians of all ages and skill levels. Many of his students have seen success in their personal endeavors such as higher chair placements in school, acceptance into honor bands and orchestras, acceptance into college music programs for both music education and instrumental performance degrees, and appointments in professional ensembles. Derek is always accepting new students and believes that not one student is the same and should have a teaching experience specially tailored to their strengths in order to build upon their weaknesses.

Outside of performing and teaching, Derek also takes some time to compose and arrange music of his own. He has premiered multiple original works of his, most notably a trombone quartet and other works for solo trombone.

In his free time, Derek is an avid Mario Kart player, never says no to some good BBQ, and enjoys spending time with his cat, Petra.

Derek is a performing artist for the Edwards Instrument Company.