Forrest Albano

Forrest Albano is an accomplished trumpet player, who currently holds positions as Principal Trumpet of The Dallas Opera as well as The Orchestra Now (TŌN). His musical journey includes performances with renowned orchestras such as the Dallas Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, and the National Repertory Orchestra. Forrest's passion extends beyond classical music. He has traveled the country playing lead trumpet and collaborating with musicians from The Tonight Show, American Idol, and The Voice. Forrest has also contributed to the vibrant sound of the Dallas Brass Band, where he played soprano cornet, helping the band secure first prize in the North American Brass Band Competition. He has showcased his talents by playing solos and concertos with numerous orchestras, adding another dimension to his musical repertoire. As a passion project and outreach effort, Forrest founded Mid Cities Brass in 2016, which brought over 30 newly commissioned works to audiences outside of the traditional concert hall.

In addition to his performance career, Forrest has made significant contributions as an instructor, mentor, and director. At the Salvation Army, he facilitated the musical education of over 300 students each summer as and mentored more than 80 students during the academic year. Forrest actively teaches privately, guiding students to achieve remarkable successes in competitions and auditions. He aims to pass on his knowledge and help shape the future of music.

Forrest earned a BA in music education from the University of Texas at Arlington, under the guidance of Rick Bogard, and he earned an MM in trumpet performance from Southern Methodist University, under the guidance of Kevin Finamore.