Dr. Kevin Brown

Biography

Minnesota native Kevin Brown began playing double bass at age 3. He has performed with esteemed ensembles across the United States and Europe. His burgeoning career led him back home to the Midwest as the principal bassist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in August 2017, where he was newly appointed Assistant Professor of Double Bass at Michigan State University College of Music. Brown began his collegiate studies with Peter Lloyd at the University of Minnesota and completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Rice University under the renowned pedagogue Paul Ellison. After completing his degrees, he worked with David Moore at the University of Southern California before joining the DSO in 2014. As a student, Brown performed extensively with the Houston Symphony and participated in tours to New York and Moscow. In 2009, he won the International Society of Bassists Orchestral Competition, which earned him a week with the bass section of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and in 2011, he was selected to give a solo performance at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage as part of the Conservatory Project. Since his appointment at the DSO, Kevin has also appeared as Guest Principal Bass with the Atlanta Symphony. In orchestral performance, Brown is an active soloist and chamber musician, participating in the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings and regularly performing at the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival. He is a frequent recitalist and made his solo concerto debut with the DSO in 2015. His keen interest in Baroque music has led him to pursue the study of historical performance practice at the Accademia di Musica Antica in Brunico, Italy, as well as studying at the International Summer School of Early Music in Valitice, Czech Republic, and with private tutors in Vienna, Austria. As an educator, Brown has taught masterclasses at Colburn School, Rice University, University of Southern California, and Texas Christian University. He also coached numerous ensembles in programs such as Houston Youth Symphonies, Troy High School String Camp, Farmington Day Strings, Michigan Bass Bash, and East Michigan BassFest. He presented lectures at the 2016 SAA Conference and the 2015 International Society of Bassists Convention.

Research Interests

Experience