Ben Elgan is a Doctoral Student at the University of Florida, pursuing a degree in Trumpet Performance. He has taught courses in Jazz Fundamentals, Jazz Improvisation and Jazz History, and has instructed over a thousand students online for higher education. As a performer, he has played professionally across the musical spectrum from solo work to commercial music and classical performance.

As a researcher, he has presented his ideas on mouthpiece design and its effects on perceived sound at institutions of higher learning and is currently working on a Cognate in Mechanical Design to further these ideas. His recent research into trumpet mouthpiece cups focuses on increasing performer utility, reinforcing harmonics, and improving the performer-instrument interface.

He premiered his original work at the International Trumpet Guild 2019 Conference in Miami, Florida and continues to output original arrangements and compositions to expand the body of available repertoire for classical and commercial musicians alike.

A crossover trumpeter, his professional performance credits include performances with the Ocala Symphony and the Gainesville Orchestra, as well as in commercial groups including Less Than Jake, Sooza Brass Band, Sister Hazel, the Andrew Theilen Big Band, Act of Congress, and Nationwide Coverage. He has also performed in conferences including the Southeastern Conference Symposium, the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the National Trumpet Competition, and the Alabama Music Educators’ Association conference.