Elisabeth Shafer Named Visiting Assistant Professor of Trombone

Hailed by The Boston Musical Intelligencer as “outstanding” and “fearless,” Dr. Elisabeth Shafer, native of State College, PA, is a dedicated performer and enthusiastic music educator.

She has appeared in concert with orchestras and ensembles including ProMusica Columbus, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, Toledo Symphony Brass, Akron Symphonic Winds, DanJo Jazz Orchestra, Symphony in C, the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, the Nittany Valley Symphony, and Barclay Brass. Shafer was the interim core member of Seraph Brass from 2019 – 2021 and has appeared as a guest soloist with ensembles including Seraph Brass, The University of Akron Symphonic and Concert Bands, The University of Akron Symphony Orchestra, and the Perry High School Symphonic Winds at the Ohio Music Educators Association Conference. This May, she will present a joint recital, “Songs She Wrote: A Joint Recital of Works by Women Composers,” at the International Women’s Conference in Denton, TX. Dr. Shafer frequently performs chamber and solo recitals at conferences and universities across the country.

“Dr. Elisabeth Shafer is a brilliant musician and an outstanding teacher. Her work reflects all that we seek to instill in our students – the highest levels of artistry, professional flexibility, and creativity. We are delighted to welcome Elisabeth to her new role on the School of Music faculty,” said Dr. Kevin Sanders, Director of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music.

Prior to her appointment at the University of Memphis, she was trombone faculty at The University of Akron, and has taught at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Trombone Workshop, and was a Teaching Artist in the Music in Schools Initiative in New Haven, CT. In addition, she is on the faculty at Luzerne Music Center, a summer arts organization devoted to bringing music instruction to young musicians. Shafer has presented clinics for the International Trombone Workshop, the Ohio Music Educator’s Association conference, and the Tobi Institute and frequently gives clinics at schools and universities across the United States.

Shafer earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trombone Performance from Boston University, her Master of Music degree from Yale School of Music in Trombone Performance, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Temple University in Trombone Performance. Her primary teachers include Toby Oft, Scott Hartman, and Matthew Vaughn. Shafer is a Conn-Selmer Performing Artist.