Luke J Spence
Visiting Assistant Professor: Trumpet
Dr. Luke Spence enjoys a multi-faceted career as a performer, educator, and recording artist. He joined the faculty at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music as Visiting Assistant Professor of Trumpet in the Fall of 2022 and was promoted to Lecturer of Trumpet beginning Fall 2024. In addition to his duties teaching and performing at Crane, Spence serves as second trumpet of the South Florida Symphony and is a member of the chamber group Anima Brass. He is proud to be an artist for both S.E. Shires Co. and Denis Wick Products.
Praised by Fanfare Magazine for his "great artistry", labeled "exquisite" by the International Trumpet Guild Journal, and hailed as "a true expert in phrasing" by the National Association of College Wind & Percussion Instructors Journal, Spence is known for his impact on the genre of vocal transcriptions. His debut solo album 20th Century Art Songs is recognized for its unique approach and emphasis on repertoire seldom explored by instrumentalists. In 2023, the album was honored as a finalist for The American Prize. As a freelance orchestral musician, Spence has performed with numerous ensembles including the National Philharmonic, Washington Chamber Orchestra, Fairfax Symphony, Lancaster Symphony, Reading Symphony, Mid Atlantic Symphony, and the Orchestra of Northern New York. Spence can be heard with Anima Brass on the album All Life Long featuring the music of celebrated post-minimalist composer Kali Malone. Upon its release, All Life Long was named Pitchfork's "Best New Album", The Guardian's "Album of the Week", and rose to the #4 spot on Billboard's Classical Crossover chart. Critics have called Anima's contributions "enthralling" and said the album will "pull on the listener's heartstrings" and leave them in "a state of transcendental bliss".
Prior to his appointment at Crane, Spence served as Lecturer of Trumpet at Frostburg State University, Instructor of Trumpet at Frederick Community College and Director of the Young Artists of America Trumpet Academy. He has also judged and chaired competitions at the International Women's Brass Conference and the International Trumpet Guild Conference. A firm believer that music has the power to be an agent of social change, Spence serves as Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the International Trumpet Guild. Spence is also a founding Board of Directors member of the International Pride Orchestra (IPO), a non-profit charity orchestra that brings together LGBTQIA+ musicians from around the world to present concerts, celebrate community, and raise funds for LGBTQIA+ causes. Spence founded IPO's Artist Recital Series in 2023 which began with his solo recital "'Wouldn't That Be Queer?' Reframing the Traditional Narrative". The program was presented in seven US cities and will be performed at the 2024 International Women's Brass Conference in Mito, Japan.
Spence earned his DMA and MM at the University of Maryland where he studied with Chris Gekker and holds a BM with a minor in musicology from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he studied with Roy Poper and was the recipient of the 2014 James Stamp Award.