Shelly Suminski

Biography

Shelly Suminski received a BM in Trombone Performance from the University of Southern California as the 2007 recipient of the Robert Marsteller Outstanding Brass Musician Award while studying with Dr. Terry Cravens. In 2009 she earned her Masters Degree at the California Institute of the Arts, studying under James Miller, Associate Principal of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She received her Kodály Certification in 2016.

As an active freelance musician in Southern California, Suminski has performed with many local orchestras and musical theatre companies. In addition to classical performance, Shelly also performs and tours with local rock and big bands and has recorded for film, television and other media projects. Her career has led her to play in major venues across the United States, Middle East and Asia. In 2019 she performed the world premier of Meditation and Decision for solo trombone and piano at the International Trombone Festival in Muncie, IN. She returned to ITF in 2022 performing as a founding member of the all-women Empress Trombone Quartet.

Devoted to music education, Suminski Mahpar is a Kodály Certified music educator. Shelly received her training and certificate from the Kodály Association of Southern California. She has been involved with non-profit organizations in the Los Angeles area since 2005. These organizations include the Young Musicians Foundation, USC’s JazzReach program, the LA Philharmonic’s YOLA at EXPO in Los Angeles, and the award-winning Harmony Project in Hollywood, CA. She is on the brass faculty at The Colburn School CSPA, Victor Valley College, San Bernardino Valley College and teaches Level 2 Pedagogy at California State University Bakersfield’s Kodály Certification. Shelly serves on the Board of Directors for the Organization of American Kodály Educators as the Western Division President and Instrumental Advisor, and is a Past President of the Kodály Association of Southern California.

In 2023, Shelly became a founding member of the organization She Can Play Brass. an organization created to support and elevate women brass players in Southern California.