Brass instructor
Bill has been a private music teacher and freelance performer in the St. Louis area for 35 years. and is a recent past member of the Ambassadors of Jazz ig Band, The Missouri Big Band, St Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Louis Brass Band and a local St Louis Oldies Band called GTO. Bill has also performed in the Missouri State High School All District and All State Bands, Missouri Lions Band, Belleville Black Nights Drum and Bugle Corps, Missouri All State Collegiate Concert Band, Missouri All State Collegiate Orchestra, Missouri All State Collegiate Jazz Band, NAJE National All Star Jazz Band, Bob Waggoner’s Monday Night Big Band and the Jim Widner Big Band. Bill has also had the privilege of performing for U.S. Congressmen and two former U.S. Presidents.
He is the recipient of numerous awards including honor “One” ratings at District and State Solo and Ensemble Festivals, the John Phillip Souza Band Award, the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and other Outstanding Soloist awards at Jazz Competitions across the country. He is a former member of the International Trumpet Guild, International Association of Jazz Educators and Missouri Music Educators Association.
His studies have taken him to almost all of the finest schools the state of Missouri has to offer including Jefferson College, Truman State University, Missouri State University, Washington University, Evangel University, and Drury University.
He has had the pleasure and privilege of studying and or performing with some of the greatest players of the past 50 years, including Maynard Ferguson, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Jay Sollenberger, Dennis Deblasio, Mike Vax, Nat Adderly, Ellis Marsalis, and Crispian Steele Perkins.
As a teacher, Bill is very passionate about music with and emphasis in performance and the students themselves! Many of his students have distinguished themselves through local and regional awards. Many have achieved positions in local and regional groups such as the St Louis youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Missouri District and All State Bands. In addition, some of his students have received prestigious music scholarships at distinguished colleges and universities such as Truman University, Missouri State University, The Kansas City Conservatory of Music and The Berklee School of Music. Some former students have gone on to play professionally or direct their own programs at the middle or high school level. Bill is especially proud of a select few of his students who have chosen to use their talent in service to this country. The United States Marines, Air Force and Navy have all received students from this studio!
Dorsett Arts Studio 