Mark Clodfelter, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is the Professor of Trumpet at the University of Kentucky. He is a performer of international acclaim who has been recently described by Classical Voice North Carolina as “…a stellar world-class trumpeter who’s dazzling playing wowed the audience.” As a soloist, Mark has appeared throughout the United States, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, Russia and Greece with orchestras, wind ensembles, brass ensembles, jazz bands, and in recital. Recent solo highlights include the 2007 Exploring Brass in Greece Festival in Athens, the 4th International Romantic Trumpet Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Great American Brass Band Festival, the Chautauqua Music Festival as well as the 2003, 04 and 05 Kentucky Music Educators Conventions, the 2005 Florida and Southern Division MENC Convention in Tampa and the 2005 Tennessee Music Educators Convention in Nashville. He has been featured on tours and concerts with the UK Jazz Ensembles, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra including the World Premier of Lawrence Bitensky’s revised “Awake You Sleepers” for trumpet and wind ensemble.

One of the most active performers in the Southeast, Mark can be heard as Principal Trumpet of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, the Trade Winds (Tamp Fl.) and Co-Principal of the Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra (KY). His commercial affiliations include split lead with the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra and the Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra. Mark is a founding member and guest artist with the Giannini Brass and a Yamaha Performing Artist. In addition he serves as Co-Conductor of the Blue Grass Area Jazz Ambassadors and Conductor of the Central Kentucky Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Mr. Clodfelter has recorded extensively in styles ranging from classical to rock including the 2004 Grammy Nominated “Self Contained” with the UK Jazz Ensemble. He has also appeared with such headliners as The O' Jays, Gladys Knight, Mannheim Steam Roller, the Moody Blues, the Lettermen, Doc Severinson, Bob Mintzer, Frank Mantooth, Lou Rawls, and Ray Charles.

Prior to his appointment at the University of Kentucky, Mark was Instructor of Trumpet and Director of Jazz Band as a member of the faculty at Mars Hill College, and has served on the teaching staff of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. From 1996- 2005 he spent summers playing Lead Trumpet for the Flat Rock Playhouse, the state theatre of North Carolina. In 1996 he served on the faculty of the prestigious Eastern Music Festival as a member of the Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra and chamber music coach. Mark has also held positions with the Greensboro Symphony, the Western Piedmont Symphony, the Salisbury Symphony, and the Greenville (SC) Symphony.

Mr. Clodfelter holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College and a Master of Music Degree from the North Carolina School of the Arts where he was a winner of the 1990 International Music Program Concerto Competition.

Sought after equally as a pedagogue and clinician, Mark makes numerous annual appearances nationally as guest adjudicator and instructor. He has written and developed educational programs among which are the Brass Builders Clinics and the acclaimed Science of Sound interdisciplinary presentation. From 1991- 92 he was appointed to the North Carolina Resident Artist roster and continues to pursue educational endeavors in schools and communities.

Mark plays Yamaha trumpets with Pickett Brass trim kits and Pickett/Clodfelter signature custom mouthpieces.