Dr. Michael Brotherton is a trumpet player and educator based in Lafayette, Colorado.

Originally from North Carolina, Michael received his Bachelor of Music performance degree in 2020 from Gardner-Webb University, where he received the “Outstanding Orchestra Member” and “Outstanding Senior Music Student” awards. During this time he also performed with the Rutherford County Symphony, the Charlotte Civic Orchestra, and New South Funk Band. 

In 2022, Brotherton received his Master of Music performance degree from East Carolina University, where he enjoyed playing leading roles with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Maceo Parker Jazz Combo, and Early Music Ensemble. During this time, Michael was also a graduate teaching assistant with the ECU Marching Pirates.

Michael completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder in May 2025. During his time there, Michael received first place in the graduate solo division of the National Trumpet Competition, was a finalist at the CU Boulder concerto competition, and won the position of Principal Trumpet with the Longmont Symphony.

Michael’s primary teachers include Chris Henry, Tim Hudson, Gabriel DiMartino, and Dr. Ryan Gardner.

In Colorado, Dr. Brotherton has also performed with Opera Colorado, Boulder Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, Boulder Opera, Fort Collins Symphony, Opera Fort Collins, Cheyenne Symphony, Steamboat Symphony, Jordan Kahn Music Company, and has recorded for Nervous Surface’s 2024 album, I Stop Making Words.

As a teacher, Dr. Brotherton believes in adapting to everybody’s individual and unique learning style, while also helping them push past where they think their limits are. While each student will face their own unique challenges, everyone must find their own balance within the same set of fundamental concepts regarding airflow, resonance, flexibility, articulation and efficiency. Using these concepts, Michael believes anyone can achieve a high level of performance in any style of music.