Gabriel Sears
Principal Tuba
MEMBER SINCE 2019
EDUCATION The Colburn School Conservatory of Music, Hochschule für Musik -Theater und Medien Hannover - Germany, Arizona State University
FUN FACT I originally wanted to play the clarinet but luckily my mother didn't want to deal with all the squeaking so it didn't happen!
HOBBIES Spending time with my wife, 2 dogs, and 3 cats Cooking, Enjoying and experiencing new craft breweries Exercising (thanks to the pandemic!)
BIOGRAPHY
Gabriel Sears has established himself as a leader among the new generation of brass musicians, captivating his audiences by effortlessly combining virtuosity and musicianship with distinctive entertainment. Heralded by the United States Air Force Band as an "amazing talent" (MSG Burts, 2006) after being the first brass musician to win the Colonel George S. Howard Young Artist Competition, it was evident at an early age that Gabriel would set the new standard in tuba performance. Continuing with his competitive career, Gabriel won 2nd prize in the '08 and '09 Leonard Falcone International Tuba Artist Competition, and received a 2011-2012 Fulbright Grant to study at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater, und Medien in Hannover, Germany.
Gabriel was recently appointed Principal Tuba in the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra and is currently tubist with Denali Brass and West Coast Prost! in Los Angeles. Performing more than just ensemble work, Gabriel is an active soloist and has given several solo performances in Arizona, Germany, Los Angeles, and gave a masterclass and recital tour in Arizona in November of 2017.
In addition to his performance activities, Gabriel is dedicated to arts education is currently serving as Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at California State University Long Beach, Fullerton College, and Irvine Valley College. Gabriel can be heard in major motion picture and television soundtracks; some of which include Men In Black: International, The House With a Clock in Its Walls, Netflix’s Disenchanted, and League of Legends among many others. Gabriel can also be heard throughout the LA area in orchestras, chamber ensembles, and as a soloist. Gabriel has been a student of Norman Pearson, Jens Bjørn-Larsen, Sam Pilafian, Patrick Sheridan, and owes his musical foundation to Donna Schmidt, an Albuquerque, New Mexico area instructor.
Gabriel is an International Artist and Clinician for the Eastman Music Company.