Bio
Originally from Ruston, Louisiana, Taylor Brownfield grew up with a deep fascination for music cultivated by his parents at the age of 2 years old. With a liking for movie soundtracks, marches, jazz records, and classical music, he was destined to pursue music. He joined the band in middle school and has continued his passion for music throughout his life.
Mr. Brownfield obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance with a focus in percussion from LSU (Louisiana State University) in 2021, studying under Dr. Brett Dietz. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Fleet Band, where he served on active duty as a percussionist with the Marine Forces Reserve Band, stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana. While serving, he performed in Colombia, Chile, and all over the United States. He is currently a Master's degree candidate in Orchestral Conducting at LSU, studying under Professor Scott Terrell.
He has since served as Assistant Conductor of the Rapides Symphony Orchestra and New Orleans Civic Symphony. As a percussionist, he has performed with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and Oklahoma Baroque Orchestra. Most recently, Brownfield participated in the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute in Toronto, Canada, and the Sofia Arts and Music Festival Conducting Academy. Brownfield has been selected as a council member of Early Music America’s Emerging Professional Leadership Council.
He has participated in numerous orchestral conducting masterclasses with Simeon Pironkoff, Martin Åkerwall, and other notable teachers. He has had the pleasure of conducting the Louisiana Youth Orchestra, Belgrade Camerata Orchestra (Serbia), San Francisco Philharmonic, New Orleans Civic Symphony, LSU Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, and Sofia Philharmonic (Bulgaria).
Brownfield’s musical interests span the orchestral repertoire, with a particular emphasis on historically informed performance and the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic styles. He has a passion for Historically Informed Performance practice and the use of period instruments in the ensemble setting. As both a conductor and percussionist, he is interested in connecting historical research and performance practice with both period and modern orchestral ensembles.