Cooper Cromwell-Whitley *

Bio

A recent graduate of the University of Michigan, Cooper Cromwell-Whitley was appointed as Acting Second Trombone of the VSO for part of their 2026/27 season. Cooper began his musical journey at the age of 5 when he started playing the baritone. By the age of 7, he had switched to playing the trombone and began receiving lessons weekly.

Prior to studying at the University of Michigan, Cooper took private lessons with Ken Wolff, a teacher based in Montgomery County, Maryland. Cooper went on to receive a full scholarship and began studying trombone performance at the University under the guidance of Professor David Jackson. He has also received considerable mentorship from other teachers and players, such as Weston Sprott - Second trombone of the Metropolitan Opera, Ken Thompkins - Principal Trombone of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and members of the Pittsburgh Symphony.

Cooper has had the privilege of attending various summer music groups such as the National Youth Orchestra, The Brevard Music Center Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra and the National Repertory Orchestra. In 2022, he was appointed as a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and held a contract with them for 2 years before returning to the University of Michigan to finish his Undergraduate Degree. Cooper has also had the privilege of performing with many additional notable professional ensembles such as the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Maryland Symphony Orchestra, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and the New World Symphony. He was a finalist for the International Trombone Festival’s quartet competition in 2022 and a Finalist for the American Trombone Workshop in 2025.

* Contract