Brent Grapes
Principal Trumpet
Brent joined WASO in 2013.
Chair partnered by Anonymous.
Born in Perth, Brent completed his initial studies in music performance at the University of Western Australia, before being accepted into The Juilliard School in New York where he studied with Raymond Mase and Mark Gould.
During his time in New York Brent established himself as both a soloist and orchestral trumpeter, winning first place in the Juilliard School concerto competition in 2007 and becoming the first person to be awarded first place for two consecutive years in the Graduate division of the US National Trumpet Competition.
From 2008-2010, Brent was a member of the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra, performing under esteemed conductors including Charles Dutoit, Gianandrea Noseda, Paavo Järvi and Valery Gergiev.
Brent was appointed Principal Trumpet with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in August 2009, before returning to Perth in 2013 to take up the position of Principal Trumpet with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. He is also the Head of Brass at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), and the proud father of two budding musicians, Finlay and Elling.