Internationally celebrated trumpeter, musician entrepreneur and professional fundraiser, Dr. Lacey Phelps, is a Native Oklahoman of Cherokee ancestry who grew up on a farm. In addition to being a servant leader and optimist who encourages, inspires, and empowers transformation through music performance and education, she has worked extensively in El Sistema programs while simultaneously teaching at the collegiate and secondary levels for 2 decades. Dr. Phelps previously held a position at the Verdi Opera House in Italy and now serves as the Executive Director of DFW Brass. She is a recording artist and clinician that has worked throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe and has played in venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Vatican and countless theaters throughout the world. She has performed under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, Helmuth Rilling, Julius Rudel, David Andrews Rogers, Frederick Fennell, Placido Domingo, Itzhak Perlman, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Camp Kirkland, Larry Rachleff, and Valery Giergiev. She has been on faculty at countless music festivals and has been a featured soloist throughout the US as well as in Greece, Panama, Mexico, Cuba, Italy, and with the Sofia Philharmonic in Bulgaria in celebration of International Women’s Day. Her former students can be found in recording studios, military bands, orchestras, and teaching at both the secondary and collegiate level throughout the US and abroad. In addition to having recorded in 11 countries on 3 continents, she has judged for The National Trumpet Competition, performed at the first-ever International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Regional Conference, and was the founder of the first ever National Trumpet Competition of Panama. Comfortable with numerous styles, Dr. Phelps performs regularly in several professional orchestras, chamber groups, musical theaters, and collaborates with choral groups such as New American Voices, The Fort Worth Chorale, and Orpheus Chamber Singers. She has enjoyed performances with artists such as Pacquito D’Rivera, Joshua Bell, Johnny Mathis, Il Divo, Mariachi Vargas, Jacki Evancho, as well as Broadway Tours such as A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Matilda, An American in Paris and others in Dallas and Fort Worth.

Phelps loves traveling and has performed at countless music festivals throughout the world including The International Trumpet Festival of Corfu (Greece, International Brass Festival (Mexico), The Aspen Music Festival (Colorado), Young Euro Festival (Berlin), Spoleto (Italy), Spoleto USA (South Carolina), Le Domain Forget (Canada), Great Waters International Music Festival (New Hampshire), Le Festival Bel Canto (Québec), Snape Maltings (England), Festival de Musique de Monton (France), Musica Riva Festival (Italy), & Campos do Jordao Music Festival (Brazil), among countless others. She also performs, teaches, and has served as the US Coordinator for the Alfredo de San Malo Music Festival in Panama (Central America) for several years and loves working with Global Missions Project. In the summer of 2024, she took several students to perform International Premiers of multiple works in Europe including Greece alongside her mentor, Mauro Maur, in Italy.

Fundraising & Development

In addition to her work as an artist and clinician, Lacey is a Non-Profit and Fundraising Consultant, Auction Ambassador, and Professional Ringman. Her husband, Dr. Josh Phelps, is a Champion Auctioneer and together they operate Phelps Fundraising Auctions and empowered select non-profit clients to raise over a million dollars in their first year of business. In addition to serving as Fundraising Consultants, the Phelps Family works in development and investment/donor relations for several Non-Profit Organizations. Together they enjoy a fulfilling life of service to others through the use of their gifts and connecting donors to their passions.

Education

Dr. Phelps holds degrees from The School of Music at The University of Oklahoma (BM, BME, DMA) and The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University (MM).  She is a member of The International Trumpet Guild (for which she has authored articles and reviews), International Women's Brass Conference, ASCAP, Oklahoma Music Educators Association, and Texas Music Educator's Association. She has taught for over 2 decades in some of the most prestigious music programs, colleges and universities in Oklahoma and Texas. Her mentors include Karl Sievers, Brian Britt, Marie Speziale, Susan Clothier, Pancho Romero, Jacob Larson, and Mauro Maur.

Contact Lacey at DFWBrass@gmail.com OR 405-808-8265.