Episode #55: Errol Rhoden - Tuba Lipa

What do you think two professional tuba players would talk about for an hour? You guessed it - Steph Curry, Dua Lipa, and a little bit about life as a tuba player. This episode is brought to you by the Black Tuba Player Association, also known as the Fantastic Four. Just kidding! There’s probably 5 of us. Here’s a little bit about my guest, Errol Rhoden:  Errol is currently based in Los Angeles where he holds the Helgard Field Tuba Chair of the American Youth Symphony. He is pursuing a B.M in Tuba Performance with a minor in Pop Music History Studies from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music where he studies with Norm Pearson, Jim Self, and Doug Tornquist. He also currently serves as a project assistant with the Los Angeles Philharmonic YOLA program. He has never been limited to classical music as he enjoys playing pop, jazz, hip-hop, and r&b music all the time! He is the co-founder of the Youtube Channel “The Free Range Musician” which is a resource that provides a look into the life of college music students and professional musicians in Los Angeles and beyond. He has recently started his acting career starring in a Nike commercial for their “Nike By You” campaign and in a Taco Bell commercial for their chulupas! Errol was also featured in Voyage LA Magazine as a part of their Downtown Los Angeles “Hidden Gems” series!  He grew up in Fayetteville, GA where he was a fellow of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program where he studied with Atlanta Symphony Principal Tubist, Michael Moore. Throughout his career, he has performed in numerous places around the country including the Hollywood Bowl, Ozawa Hall, the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium, and even Main Street U.S.A at the Disneyland Resort where he was a member of the Disneyland All-American College Band. He has worked and performed with artists such as Wayne Bergeron, Phillip Bailey, and the Boston Brass just to name a few! Errol has played under the baton of H. Robert Reynolds, Keith Lockhart, Myra Rhoden, and Robert Spano and enjoyed every moment. He has received many accolades during his career including being awarded the Silver Medalist at the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival Tuba Student Division. Errol loves bringing the joy and excitement of music to his family and friends everyday. This keeps him curious and wanting to learn and always open to new opportunities in his field. When Errol is not playing his tuba, he will often be seen playing NBA2k on his PS5 or arguing with friends as to why Lebron James is the greatest basketball player of all time.