Matthew Ernst

Matthew Ernst currently serves as Principal Trumpet of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, appointed by Edo de Waart in 2016. He was previously the Principal Trumpet of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops, and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and acted as Principal Trumpet for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Matthew has also held teaching positions at the University of Virginia, the University of New Orleans, and the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. Matthew pursued his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan, where he studied with William Campbell. He received two Master of Music degrees from Southern Methodist University—the first in trumpet performance, studying with Tom Booth of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the second in wind conducting. He was also a fellow at Tanglewood Music Center and attended the Pacific Music Festival and Brevard Music Center. Matthew resides in Shorewood, WI with his wife and daughters, Madeleine and Margaret.