Michelle Flowers is an avid trombonist who has performed nationally and internationally in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany with a wide variety of ensembles ranging from opera and musical theater orchestras to jazz ensembles and even a circus band. She is a founding member of The Coal Hill Quartet, a trombone quartet specializing in creating musical diversity through chamber music. Recently she formed an offshoot of this ensemble, Blue Box Brass, to continue this project with non-homogenous brass instruments. A regular presenter and performer at conferences and masterclasses across the country, she has performed at the International Trombone Festival as a member of the Cramer Choir and the International Women’s Trombone Choir, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the National Association of Winds and Percussion Association, and TMEA. Michelle holds a Master’s and Doctorate of Musical Arts in Trombone Performance from the University of North Texas and received a Bachelor’s degree with University and Latin Honors from Brigham Young University.
Dr. Flowers’ ground-breaking research on psychological issues faced by the musician population has led her to be a stand-out in the field of music and medicine. She has presented her findings on several platforms, including the Performing Arts and Medicine Association International Symposium in Aspen, CO (2017), the International Brass Women’s Conference in Phoenix, AZ (2019), the International Trombone Festival in Muncie, IN (2019), and is a regular presenter at the Texas Music Educators’ Association in San Antonio, TX, the largest music education conference in the United States. In addition to her work on musicians’ mental health, she also is the author of a regular column discussing Golden Age film scores in Film Score Monthly Online Journal.
Michelle is currently an adjunct professor of trombone at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and adjunct instructor of low brass at Tarrant County College Southeast. She began her collegiate teaching career atTexas Woman’s University where she built a flourishing studio. She founded the TWU Trombone Choir, the premiere brass ensemble at TWU. Under her direction, this ensemble has been invited to perform at the Texas Music Education Association Convention (2019) as well as the National Association of Winds and Percussion Instructors Conference (2021), the International Women’s Brass Conference (2022) and the International Trombone Festival (2022).
Upcoming and Notable Performances and News:
At the 2024 ITF was invited to perform with the Cramer Choir under the direction of Simon Wills (Guildhall, UK) and was invited to perform with the International Women's Trombone Choir under the direction of JoDee Davis (U of Kansas City Missouri).
Was named Principal Trombone for the Flower Mound Symphony.
At the 2023 ITF premiered "Box Five" as a soloist in the Performing Artist Series. Presented a concert by all women composers with "Blue Box Brass" Horn/Trombone Duo. She also presented a lecture on musician burnout and was invited to judge the Frank Smith Competition.
At the 2022 ITF performed with the Coal Hill Quartet, directed the TWU Trombone Choir recital, and performed with the Cramer Choir directed by John Drew (Florida State University).
At the 2023 IWBC performed with the Minerva Trio and the Denton Brass Collective, presented on Diversity in Music, and directed the TWU Trombone Choir showcase performance.
Her interview for Emmy Rozanski's series about navigating life after college is available here.
Michelle recently had the pleasure of reconnecting with her old friend, Emily Merrell, where she was interviewed for Emily's podcast Artifice. They discuss art, inspiration, and "deep dives" into creativity. It can be found on most popular streaming services through this here. Her episode is in season 3, ep. 90.
Dr. Flowers was invited to perform with the inaugural International Trombone Festival Women's Choir at the upcoming International Trombone Festival in Georgia. More information on this choir, it's members, and the festival in general can be found by clicking here.
Dr. Flowers performed and presented with her quartet, The Coal Hill Quartet, at ITF. More information about this ensemble can be found here.