Hunter Eberly

The Principal Trumpet of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Hunter Eberly is a native of Muskegon, Michigan. Eberly started playing the trumpet at the age of 8 under the tutelage of his mother, and he continued his studies in high school with Charley Lea of the Grand Rapids Symphony. He attended Grand Valley State University, where he studied with Richard Stoelzel and earned his Bachelor of Music degree. Eberly continued his education by attending The Colburn School in Los Angeles. There, he studied with James Wilt of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and earned a Professional Studies Certificate.

Eberly has performed as Guest Principal Trumpet with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony, the Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Grand Rapids Symphony, and the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra. He has also served as principal trumpet of the Jacksonville Symphony, and has performed and toured with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In addition to classical playing, Eberly enjoys playing many other genres of music. Most notably, he has performed with a large number of Motown’s greatest performers including Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The 4 Tops, and Mary Wilson of The Supremes.

As a soloist, Eberly has performed numerous times with the DSO, including concerti by Tomasi, Haydn, Arutunian, and Telemann. His 2016 performances of the John Williams Trumpet Concerto were recorded and are to be released on the Naxos label.

Eberly has won several awards including first prize in the National Trumpet Competition Undergraduate Solo Competition, first prize in the National Trumpet Competition Trumpet Ensemble division, and second prize in the International Trumpet Guild Mock Orchestra Competition.

Eberly has a passion for teaching, and has taught the trumpet studios at Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and The University of Michigan as a lecturer/guest professor of trumpet. He has also given masterclasses and recitals at conservatories and universities throughout North America. Eberly and his wife Kim own Island Music LLC, a music studio located in Grosse Ile, MI. Here they and their staff provide music lessons and classes to over 100 downriver Detroit students weekly. Eberly maintains a small private teaching studio and also regularly coaches college students and young professionals in audition preparation.

Eberly lives on Grosse Ile with his wife Kim, their two children, and two dogs. When he is not playing the trumpet, he enjoys archery, hunting, fishing, and being in the outdoors.

Eberly is a Yamaha Performing Artist.