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 eight 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 a Bachelor of Music. Eberly continued his musical studies at The Colburn School in Los Angeles, California, studying with James Wilt of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and earning a Professional Studies Certificate.

Eberly has performed as guest Principal Trumpet with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 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 music, Eberly enjoys playing many other genres. Most notably, he has performed with some 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 concertos by Tomasi, Haydn, Arutunian, and Telemann. His 2016 performances of the John Williams Trumpet Concerto was recorded and 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 education and has taught the trumpet studios at Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and the University of Michigan as a lecturer and guest professor. 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. Island Music provides music lessons and classes to over 100 downriver Detroit students on a weekly basis. Eberly also maintains a small private teaching studio and regularly coaches college students and young professionals in preparation for auditions.

Eberly lives in 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 outdoors.

Eberly is a Yamaha Performing Artist.