Dr. Kayla Solomon (she/her) is a trumpet performer and educator based in Los Angeles, California, who finds deep fulfillment in sharing her passion for music and her commitment to sports and performing arts medicine.
In the summer of 2023, Dr. Solomon had the privilege of serving as the lead trumpet performer at Valleyfair, an experience that allowed her to connect with audiences through her love for music. Her journey in the world of music has included some notable highlights, such as her first-place win in the brass division of the 2017 Federation of Canadian Music Festivals competition and her successful participation in the 2019 UCLA All-Star Competition.
One of Dr. Solomon's cherished memories was her contribution to the recording of Ian Krause's Symphony No. 5 in Seoul, South Korea, as a member of the Seocho Philharmonia. Additionally, she co-founded Power of Two, a Canadian-based trumpet and piano duo, dedicated to showcasing the works of Canadian and underrepresented composers. The duo's commissioned piece, "The Stars of November" by Kenley Kristofferson, received recognition when it won the Bronze Medal in the Emerging Artist category at the Global Music Awards in January 2022.
Dr. Solomon's academic journey has been marked by dedicated study under esteemed mentors. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and has benefited from the guidance of renowned teachers such as Ronald Romm, Dr. Amy Gilreath, and Tito Carrillo. She also holds a Master of Music degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she studied with Jens Lindemann, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University, Canada, where she studied with Dr. Edward Bach. Her ongoing mentorship with Dr. Carole Dawn Reinhart, Professor Emeritus from the Vienna School of Performing Arts, has played a vital role in her artistic growth.
Dr. Solomon's dedication to education is an extension of her love for music. She has had the privilege of teaching grade 6-12 students at Killarney School, including math instruction for grade 9 students. As an adjunct trumpet instructor at MusicFit Academy, she is committed to nurturing the talents of students of all ages through both online and in-person private trumpet lessons.
Beyond her musical pursuits, Dr. Solomon's interest in sports medicine has led her to focus on overuse embouchure injury prevention for trumpet players. Her research reflects her dedication to the well-being of fellow musicians. In addition to her scholarly pursuits, she is a well-rounded athlete who has been part of various sports teams, including the Brandon University Women's Volleyball team, the UCLA Club Sports Volleyball team, and the University of Illinois Waterski team. Dr. Solomon's commitment to the performing arts has also led her to become certified in the Essentials of Performing Arts Medicine by the Performing Arts Medicine Association.