Stephen M. Wadsack serves as the Instructor of Trumpet and directs the Wright State University Jazz Ensemble, the university's premiere jazz ensemble. In addition to teaching responsibilities within the Trumpet Studio and Jazz Studies, Stephen coaches student chamber music ensembles, performs in the Faculty Brass Quintet, and has previously taught numerous special topics and general education courses. Prior to his appointment at Wright State University in the Fall of 2022, Wadsack previously served on the faculties of Wilmington College (OH), Thomas More University (KY), and the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). He is also a certified K-12 music educator, with endorsements in teaching instrumental, choral, and general music.

Stephen regularly appears with a wide variety of ensembles throughout the tri-state area, ranging from major symphony orchestras to chamber music groups, jazz ensembles, and Baroque period performance groups. Recent credits include performances with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati May Festival Herald Trumpets, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra (KY), Richmond Symphony Orchestra (IN), and Springfield Symphony Orchestra (OH). Wadsack is also in demand as a commercial/jazz trumpeter and recording artist; he can regularly be seen and heard performing as a small group leader in the Greater Dayton area, as a member of the trumpet section in the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, or in the live band at Kings Island amusement park, which entertains over 3.5 million guests annually over an 8-month season. Stephen has also recently performed as a featured soloist with the Troy-Hayner Center Recital Series, Butler Philharmonic Orchestra (OH), Wright State University Wind Symphony, and University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra (WY).

Wadsack made his conducting debut with the University of Wyoming's "Western Thunder Marching Band" in 2012, where he served as a Drum Major for four seasons. Other ensembles for which he has served as music director or guest conductor include the Wright State University Wind Symphony, Wilmington College Concert Band, "Quaker Thunder" Pep Band, Gillette Community Band (WY), and University of Wyoming Wind Symphony. In the Fall of 2022, Stephen made his debut conducting a select honor ensemble with the North Platte District Honor Band. He has also conducted numerous community and high school bands as a guest artist and clinician, throughout the Front Range and Midwest regions. 

Stephen is passionate and active as a champion of new music. He has led solo commissions and served as a consortium member of multiple compositions for trumpet by award-winning composers Martin Hebel, Marcus Grant, and Katahj Copley; many of these pieces have received premieres at events such as the National Trumpet Competition (2017, 2018) and the International Trumpet Guild Conference (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022). As an academic researcher, Wadsack has been published by the International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Journal and Wyoming Windsong (Wyoming Music Educators' Journal). Stephen was also recently invited to present at both the North American Baroque Trumpet Conference and the ITG Conference (2022) to present papers and research; recent appearances at conferences include a presentation on the trumpet nomenclature of J.S. Bach, as well as a presentation on the college audition process for prospective high school and graduate students pursuing a program in applied music. This summer, Wadsack will serve as a featured paper presenter at the Historic Brass Society Symposium in New York City.

In addition to his appointment at Wright State, Wadsack maintains an active schedule as a guest artist/clinician for various high school, collegiate, and professional programs around the United States. To date, Stephen has engaged in educational outreach, residencies, masterclasses, and recitals at over 60 middle school, high school, and university music programs. At Wright State, he serves the University in the following capacities:

• University Center for Faculty Excellence, Equity Champions Facilitator (Spring 2024)
• University Center for Faculty Excellence, Equity Champions Faculty Fellow (Fall 2023)
• College of Liberal Arts, Curriculum Committee
• College of Liberal Arts, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee
• College of Liberal Arts, Retention Committee
• School of Fine and Performing Arts, Curriculum Committee
• School of Fine and Performing Arts, Brass Festival Co-Director
• School of Fine and Performing Arts, Honor Band Committee and Leadership Team

Outside of musical pursuits, Stephen enjoys connecting with friends, family, and current/former students. He is very passionate about the outdoors, hiking, fly fishing, and traveling to new places (especially National and State Parks). At home, Stephen regularly enjoys hosting board game nights, reading up on theology, all things coffee, and even brewing his own beer. He is also particularly proud of his Wyoming heritage (Go Pokes!). Stephen is happily married to his wife and "adventure partner", Casey. Together, they have worked extensively with Linton Chamber Music's "Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions" - an affiliate organization of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra that presents free interactive and educational concerts for children ages 2-6, across various neighborhoods throughout Greater Cincinnati.

Graduate Courses:

Applied Trumpet Lessons
Chamber Music
Orchestral Excerpts
Trumpet Pedagogy and Repertoire
Jazz History and Music
Jazz Theory, Arranging, and Composition

Undergraduate Courses:

Applied Trumpet Lessons
Chamber Music
Digital Editing, Recording, and Sound Reinforcement
Orchestral Excerpts
Jazz Improvisation
Jazz History and Music
Jazz Theory, Arranging, and Composition
Music of Western Cultures
Comparative Non-Western Cultures: Music
Special Topics - Sounds of the Silver Screen: Music of Film
Special Topics - This One Goes to Eleven: Music of Heavy Metal

Ensemble Director:

Jazz Ensemble
Brass Ensemble
Pep Band
University Trumpet Ensemble