A graduate of Onekama High School, Dr. Adam Graham was appointed Grand Rapids Community College Instructor of Low Brass in 2023. In addition to teaching applied lessons for GRCC students on trombone, euphonium, and tuba, Dr. Graham teaches music courses in the GRCC Middle College program.
Currently serving as bass trombonist of the Holland Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Graham has also performed with the Traverse, Midland, Battle Creek, and West Michigan Symphonies. An active freelance musician across the state, Dr. Graham enjoys performing in many diverse styles including big band, jazz, church, and chamber music; he has been a member of both the General Assembly Big Band and Holland Jazz Orchestra and is currently bass trombonist with the Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra, Hark Up Big Band, and GROẞE SEEN BIERBAND. As a bass trombonist of the MSU Jazz Trombones, Dr. Graham won the International Trombone Association’s Kai Winding Jazz Ensemble Competition in 2014. Dr. Graham has also been a featured soloist with the Michigan State University Wind Symphony, Hope College Wind Ensemble, Manistee Community Band, and Godfrey-Lee High School Band.
A strong advocate for music education, Dr. Graham has led low brass clinics on breathing, sound production, and musical style at Manistee, West Ottawa, Zeeland, Grand Haven, Coopersville, Godfrey-Lee, Kenowa Hills, Cedar Springs, Onekama, Fennville, Grattan Academy, Wayland, DeWitt, Haslett, and Fowlerville schools. Dr. Graham maintains private teaching studios that serve the Haslett and Holland communities.
Dr. Graham earned the Doctorate of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in trombone performance at MSU studying with Ava Ordman and Curtis Olson. A major focus of his research has been to highlight contributions to bass trombone repertoire by Michigan composers. Under the tutelage of Dr. Mark Williams, Dr. Graham earned his BM in trombone performance from Grand Valley State University. Dr. Graham has also served as Visiting Professor at GVSU teaching applied trombone. Additionally, he has taught Low Brass Methods, Trombone Pedagogy, and Survey of Music Literature courses at GVSU.
Dr. Graham has previously served as Instructor of Low Brass at Hope College. Dr. Graham also serves on faculty at Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University Community Music School, and Lansing Community College.