Dr. Velvet Brown

Biography

Velvet Brown is a Distinguished Professor of Music at Penn State University, where she teaches applied tuba and euphonium and coordinates the brass chamber music program. She has guided students who have obtained prestigious positions and won competitions at regional, national, and international levels. As the Associate Director for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the School of Music, she emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in the arts. An accomplished international soloist and chamber musician, Brown has performed across multiple countries including Italy, Germany, and Japan, and currently serves as the principal tubist with the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra. She has also been featured as a principal tuba player with various prominent orchestras and has collaborated with influential artists in the music industry. Brown is a co-founder of MOJATUBA, a Tuba Dance Fusion Project, and has served in various capacities at different academic institutions prior to her tenure at Penn State. She has released multiple solo CDs, showcasing her talents as a performer and recording artist, and is an advocate for representation in brass music through initiatives like the International Women’s Brass Conference.

Research Interests