AXIOM BRASS
Described as “exceptional ambassadors for classical music” and “innovative programmers”, Chicago-based Axiom Brass designs concert experiences for audiences that stretch the imagination and expand sensibilities. Their concert programs regularly pair original works by composers such as Augusta Read Thomas, George Walker, and Joan Tower with early musical translations by Barbara Strozzi, Claudia Francesca Rusca, Leonora Duarte, and rousing tangos by Astor Piazzolla. As strong advocates for the creation and performance of “living music”, the ensemble actively engages with their audiences to showcase the importance of performing the music of living composers. Axiom has presented concerts all over the world, including the Merkin Concert Hall in New York City, Gallo Center for the Arts in California, Shenzhen Concert Hall in China, and Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis in Portugal.
In 2021, to celebrate the 100th birthday of Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla, Axiom Brass recorded an entire album showcasing his music entitled Astor, becoming the first brass quintet to record an entire album of Piazzolla’s works.
In 2016, the Chicago-based ensemble commissioned ten new works to celebrate their 10th anniversary, including compositions by Augusta Read Thomas, Liduino Pitombeira, David Faleris, Matt Ulery, and Ben Hjertmann. These compositions can be heard on their album, First Impressions.
The only brass ensemble to ever win the Fischoff Educator Award, Axiom creates custom- tailored workshops and residency activities for presenters and their communities. The group’s commitment to education and their interactive teaching style has led to residencies at the Grand Tetons Music Festival and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, as well as being featured as ensemble-in-residence for the National Brass Symposium.
Axiom Brass performs exclusively on Bach Trumpets and Trombones, Conn French Horns and Flugelhorns. and Mutec Mutes.
Trumpeter Dorival Puccini, Jr. is an active soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, and educator. Founder of the award winning Axiom Brass, his interest in chamber music has led him to contribute several musical translations for brass quintet specially written for the Axiom Brass. His works have been performed across the USA, Europe, and Asia. Dorival has co-produced all of Axiom Brass’ albums including New Standards, First Impressions, and Astor; the later including ten of his musical translations of Piazzolla’s compositions. As a proponent of chamber music, Dorival has commissioned and premiered dozens of new works for brass and is the founder and chief-editor of Brass Legacy, a publication and commissioning consortium entirely dedicated to Brass Chamber Art Music. Dorival holds degrees from Grand Valley State University (BM), the Juilliard School of Music (MM), and Michigan State University (DMA).
Dorival is a Bach Artist and performs exclusively on Bach Trumpets, Conn Flugelhorn, and Mutec Mutes.
Equipment
Bach Stradivarius Mt. Vernon 239 C Trumpet
Bach Stradivarius New York 42 B-flat Trumpet
Bethany Vaughan is a Chicago-based trumpet player and educator. She has performed with the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa), as well as with the orchestras of Houston, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Jacksonville, and more. As a chamber musician, she has played with Seraph Brass, 3rd Coast Brass, Stiletto Brass, and Monarch Brass. While in grad school, her brass quintet was a finalist in the MTNA National Chamber Music Competition.
A proud Houstonian, Bethany attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before attending Indiana University (BM) and Northwestern University (MM). She has spent summers as a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival, NACO Mentorship Program, Round Top Festival Institute, and Texas Music Festival, and she has performed at the Bravo! Vail and Blossom summer music festivals.
In the teaching sphere, Bethany is the trumpet coach at Niles West High School in Skokie in addition to maintaining her own private studio.
Bethany is a Bach Artist and performs exclusively on Bach Trumpets, Conn Flugelhorn, and Mutec Mutes.
Equipment
Bach Stradivarius 229 C Trumpet
Bach Stradivarius 37 B-flat Trumpet
Alex Laskey is a Chicago based horn player, teacher, and member of the Axiom Brass. Prior to moving to Chicago in 2023, Alex held positions with the Virginia Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Along with these ensembles, Alex has performed as a guest with orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, and Alabama Symphony.
Alex’s festival engagements include the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado, and the AIMS Festival in Graz, Austria. In addition to his orchestral work, Alex has enjoyed performing in a variety of styles with highlights including a multi week run of the touring Wicked musical, performing with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and recording with John Williams.
As a teacher, Alex has served on faculty at both Concordia University Chicago’s and Purdue Fort Wayne’s school of music. Alex is an alumni of DePaul University and the Colburn School’s Conservatory in Los Angeles.
Alex is a Conn Artist and performs exclusively on Mutec Mutes.
Chicago-based trombonist Corey Sansolo enjoys a diverse performing and teaching career. He is a member of the Axiom Brass and the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra and is the director and founder of the DC Trombone Workshop.
Corey has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, and at the Paramount Theatre in productions of Dreamgirls and Cinderella. Additionally, he has made guest appearances as principal trombone for ensembles including the Detroit Opera Orchestra, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and Peoria Symphony Orchestra.
An active musical arranger, Corey’s transcriptions for brass chamber ensembles have been performed by leading ensembles including the “President’s Own” Marine Band Brass Quintet, the Western Brass Quintet, and the National Orchestral Institute, in addition to making frequent appearances on Axiom Brass concerts. Corey is an alumni of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Maryland.
Corey is a Bach Artist and performs exclusively Mutec Mutes.
Equipment
Serena Voltz is a tuba player and low brass teacher active in the Chicago area and Wisconsin. She draws on her studies at Northwestern University (B.M.) and DePaul University (M.M.), where she learned from some of the most world-renowned brass pedagogues. Her main teachers include Rex Martin, Floyd Cooley, and Gene Pokorny.
Besides playing with Axiom Brass, Serena is the Principal Tuba player for the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra. Her freelance experience includes work with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Racine Symphony Orchestra, and numerous other regional symphonies. Serena has performed professionally in many other settings as well, ranging from quintets, full scale brass ensembles, and solo performances, to folk music recordings, new music ensembles, and English style brass bands.
As an educator, Serena teaches tuba at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. She also teaches tuba, euphonium and trombone at numerous public school and community programs in Chicago proper and the northwest suburbs.
Serena is a Conn Artist and performs exclusively on Mutec Mutes.
Emma Cryer is an Iowa-based trumpet player, teacher and Director of Social Media and Communications for Axiom Brass. She is currently attending the University of Iowa to earn her B.M. in Trumpet Performance.
Both an avid classical and jazz musician, Emma has performed with and held positions in many ensembles, such as Orchestra Iowa, the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra, Blake Shaw’s Big-Ish Band, and Iowa Brass Band. She is also a composer and arranger, posting her works on her own social media accounts, connecting with many well-known musicians and inspiring people to continue their love for music.
As an educator, Emma teaches lessons for public school programs throughout Iowa and has a small private studio.
