International Chamber Artist
Music Institue of Chicago
Born and raised in rural South Dakota, Chelsea French began her musical studies on piano at the age of five. Her fascination with trombone began at age ten upon entering the public school band program in her hometown of Madison. Currently a Chicago-based freelance musician, Ms. French is a member of International Chamber Artists, is Principal Trombone in the Northbrook Symphony, and has enjoyed performing shows with touring pop artists including Adele and Josh Groban. She has also performed with Chicago's Music of the Baroque, the Millar Brass, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and the South Dakota Symphony.
Ms. French holds a Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance from Northwestern University, and Bachelor of Music degree from DePaul University, and has studied primarily with Michael Mulcahy, Mark Fisher, Charles Vernon, and Vance Shoemaker. She is on faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago and North Central College, and also teaches a large private studio in the Naperville/Aurora area in Illinois.
Ms. French has gained local, national, and international recognition by winning the Chicago-area Musicians' Club of Women Solo Competition, the International Trombone Association's Marstellar Solo Competition, and the National Trombone Solo Competition held at the Eastern Trombone Workshop.
Besides performing and teaching, Ms. French also enjoys many outdoor activities such as long-distance running, horseback riding, and exploring Chicago's parks with her young son.
chelseafrench@gmail.com