Board Announcement
In conjunction with each election, the ITG Constitution authorizes the President to appoint two non-U.S. board members (https://old.trumpetguild.org/handbook/constitution.html#constitution52). ITG President Jason Bergman has appointed Bria Skonberg (Canada) and David Collins (Ireland) to a four-year term serving on the ITG Board of Directors.
Bria Skonberg
To most of us, the adventures of trailblazing triple threat trumpeter, vocalist and songwriter Bria Skonberg are borderline unbelievable. Born in British Columbia, Canada and now residing in New York City, Bria has been a featured artist at hundreds of festivals and stages the world over, including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage, Kobe, Monterey, Breda, Newport and Montreal Jazz Festivals. Described as “one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal), she has performed with Jon Batiste, Wycliffe Gordon, Stephane Wrembel, Steven Bernstein, U2 & Sun Ra Arkestra, The American Pops and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras, The Blacksmiths coalition, and once sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at Madison Square Garden for a NY Rangers game. The “shining hope of hot jazz” (NY Times) has been at the forefront of a revival of classic American music as both a performer and educator, programming concerts and workshops for students of all ages. In 2016 Bria released her debut LP on Sony Masterworks which won a Canadian JUNO award and made the Top 5 on Billboard jazz charts. Bria has recorded on over 25 albums and recently released her sixth studio solo album “Nothing Never Happens” consisting of mostly original compositions. A 6x Downbeat Rising Star, further accolades include the Jazz at Lincoln Center Swing Award, Best Vocal and Best Trumpet from Hot House Jazz Magazine and Outstanding Jazz Artist at the Bistro Awards. She tours constantly bringing her own signature sounds of fiery trumpet playing, smoky vocals and story-telling together with adventurous concoctions of classic and new.
Bria was introduced to jazz by a spirited public school band program and local festival in her hometown of Chilliwack. She earned her degree in Jazz Trumpet Performance from Capilano University in Vancouver, where she also performed with Canada’s King of Swing Dal Richards. She appears often as a guest faculty member and clinician, giving masterclasses and private instruction as well as directing and performing with student ensembles at all levels.Bria is a Co-Founder/Director of the NY Hot Jazz Camp and has served as faculty at the Teagarden Jazz Camp (Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation), Centrum Jazz Camp, Geri Allen Jazz Camp and Junior Jazz Academy (JALC). She has performed hundreds of educational concerts and workshops, has led an ensemble for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Jazz for Young People”outreach program and is an educational advisor to the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens. She has been an Artist in Residence collaborating with Syracuse University, Ball State University, UNC Greensborough, Jazz Arts Group in Columbus, Cape May Regional Schools, and more. In 2018 Lincoln Center sought out her leadership for a tribute to the first integrated all female big band, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, which launched her acclaimed group Sisterhood of Swing. In 2019 she was a featured member of Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour alongside Cecile McLorin Salvant, Christian Sands, Melissa Aldana and Jamison Ross. She is an active member of the Women in Jazz Organization, Jazz Education Network, a Bach Conn-Selmer artist, and a new mother.
David Collins
Originally from Co. Kildare, David studied trumpet at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and completed an MMus in Trumpet at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin graduating with Distinction. During his studies David won prizes including the Guinness Brass Bursary and Robert McCreath Memorial Prize and was a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra touring Europe and Asia along with performances at the BBC Proms.
Since returning to Ireland, David performs and broadcasts regularly with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, RTÉ National Symphony and RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Between 2016–2018 David held the position of Second Trumpet & Principal Cornet with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast, Northern Ireland and more recently has performed with the World Orchestra for Peace.
In 2019 David was appointed as the Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and coaches both the trumpet sections of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble.
David is the Artistic Director of Dublin Brass Week, Ireland’s international brass festival. He has additionally appeared as soloist in concerti by Haydn, Vivaldi, Neruda as well as Bach's Brandenburg Concerto no. 2.
David was co-host of the 2021 Ellsworth Smith International Trumpet Solo Competition in Smock Alley, Theatre, Dublin.