Dr. Timothy J. Tesh, a Grammy-nominated trumpeter, is Associate Director for Student Affairs and Operations and Associate Professor of Trumpet on the faculty of the School of Music at The University of Southern Mississippi. He also serves as Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee for the International Trumpet Guild.
T.J. relocated to Mississippi in 2016 after an exciting and successful career as a freelance trumpeter and music educator in the Los Angeles area. He is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Pickett Brass Artist, and he 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.
T.J. has recorded and performed throughout the U.S. and Canada since 2017 as a member of Alias Brass, a collaboration of five uniquely talented artists and educators from across the nation. 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. Additionally, he has 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. Dr. Tesh served as Principal Trumpet with the Gulf Coast and Meridian Symphonies from 2018-2024, as Guest Principal Trumpet with the Mobile Symphony in their 2018-2019 season, and he is a regular substitute with the Pensacola Symphony. T.J.’s debut solo recording is titled Adaptations for Trumpet (2017).
T.J. received his Master of Business Administration from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2020 and his Doctor of Musical Arts 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.