Dr. Christopher Hotaling

An active pedagogue, clinician, and performer, Christopher Hotaling employs elements from his background in vocal performance in his approach to teaching and playing all low brass instruments. He believes strongly in the importance of lyrical, songlike playing as a means of promoting growth in his students, and he enjoys incorporating vocal repertoire in lessons and performances. In 2020, he was invited to the Northeast Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference to present a lecture entitled Accessing the Vocal Repertoire and its Pedagogical Benefits, and gave a lecture titled Doubling: Resources & Techniques for Teaching and Learning at the 2020 Virtual Trombone Workshop.

In his current appointment as Adjunct Professor of Tuba at SUNY Fredonia’s School of Music, Chris teaches weekly lessons to all tuba majors, directs the Fredonia Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, and teaches courses related to low brass teaching and pedagogy. Prior to his time at Fredonia, he served as the Visiting Assistant of Tuba and Euphonium at The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where his responsibilities included coaching chamber music and conducting weekly lessons and studio class for twenty aspiring tubists and euphoniumists. While living in Rochester, he also served as adjunct faculty at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, NY, where he taught courses in music history and music appreciation.

Chris has appeared with many professional ensembles, including the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of Northern New York, Northern Symphonic Winds, the renowned Eastman Wind Ensemble, and more. His album credits include Adirondack Songs and Images: Music of Jeff Tyzik, recorded while a member of the Crane Wind Ensemble and the Eastman Wind Ensemble, respectively. He also spent five years as either sole or co-director of Tuba Mirum, the Eastman School of Music’s tuba-euphonium ensemble, for which his responsibilities included programming, conducting, and rehearsing concerts locally and regionally.

Chris holds B.M. degrees in Euphonium Performance and Music Education from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where he was named a Presser Scholar, and M.M. and D.M.A. degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where he was also awarded the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. His teachers include Dr. Charles Guy for euphonium, Mark Kellogg for euphonium and trombone, and the late Dr. Lonel Woods for voice.

When not performing or teaching, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Jenna, and their three cats.