Category: Faculty News

Aislin Carpenter is a versatile and dynamic artist who promotes connection and community in all of her endeavors. A Virginia native, she is currently a trumpeter with the United States Air Force Band, a position she has held since 2023. Aislin has performed with the National Philharmonic Orchestra and the New World Symphony. She has also been a fellow at the Music Academy of West, the Round Top Festival Institute,  and the National Orchestral Institute. She can be heard on the 2023 album, “Gershwin, Joan Tower & Steven Stucky: Works for Piano & Orchestra”, and the upcoming album “Brass for Uncommon Times,” which features contemporary brass ensemble works by composers from underrepresented backgrounds.

In addition to her performing career, Ms. Carpenter is a passionate arts advocate and educator. She has presented masterclasses through the National Orchestral Institute’s Youth Mentorship Program and teaches trumpet sectionals at various schools throughout the Washington, D.C., area.  She received a certificate in arts administration from Indiana University, where she founded an environmental education concert series known as “Conserve Bloomington”. Ms. Carpenter is also an active musical theater songwriter, and has had her work performed at 54 Below in New York City. A dedicated and enthusiastic teacher, Aislin is proud to be part of the vibrant community at Mason Community Arts Academy.

Ms. Carpenter is a proud graduate of Indiana University Bloomington’s Jacobs School of Music, where she received her bachelor’s of music in trumpet performance studying with John Rommel and Kris Kwapis.

William Hernandez is a DMV native who strives to make music accessible to all. As a first-generation American, his mission is to make Latinx representation the motivation for his career. In addition to having a background in Education, William is also a freelance musician with credits in musical pit orchestras, international movie score recording, and chamber groups throughout Delaware and Pennsylvania.

William holds a Bachelor’s in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Delaware and is currently a Master of Music in performance at the University of Maryland, College Park. His teachers include Amanda Collins, Dr. John David Smith, Dr. Lauren Hunt, Larry Williams, and Gregory Miller.

Steven Needham is a Washington, D.C. tubist and music educator. Maintaining a strong reputation as both a soloist and ensemble musician, he is equally recognized for the success of his highly competitive private low brass studio.

Throughout his career, Mr. Needham has performed with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the National Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, New World Symphony, and New Mexico Philharmonic. A dedicated chamber musician, he has held positions with the Magnolia City Brass Band and the Gulf Coast Brass Quintet and has performed extensively with ensembles such as the New Mexico Philharmonic Brass Quintet, Houston Symphony Brass Quintet, Enchantment Brass, and the Texas Brass Ensemble. His Summer engagements include fellowship positions at renowned festivals such as the Napa Valley Music Festival, Atlantic Music Festival, Mostly Modern Music Festival, and Texas Music Festival. 

Mr. Needham is deeply committed to music education and mentorship. In addition to serving as a Teaching Artist at the Academy, he previously held the position of Adjunct Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at Texas Southern University. During his time in Houston, he developed one of the region’s most competitive private low brass studios. His students have achieved remarkable success, advancing to professional auditions, receiving fellowships at prestigious music festivals, securing scholarships to leading conservatories, and consistently earning top honors in regional, state, national, and international competitions. As a clinician and masterclass instructor, Mr. Needham has appeared at a range of institutions, including Regional Tuba/Euphonium Conferences, Texas Low Brass Academy, University of New Mexico and within school districts such as Katy ISD, Cypress ISD, Klein ISD, and Pearland ISD.

Mr. Needham holds a Bachelor of Music in Tuba Performance from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory, where he received both the Yale Brody Memorial Scholarship and the Richard Hart/Eugene Sheers Scholarship. He furthered his studies at the Rice University Shepherd School of Music. His primary teachers include David Kirk, Mark Barton, David Fedderly, and Dr. Richard A. White. 

Outside of his professional commitments, Steven maintains an active lifestyle that includes running, mountain biking, cooking, and enjoying quality time with his family and his two cats, Daphne and Chloe.