Brendon Wilkins

Brendon M. Wilkins is a multi-instrumentalist performer and educator who is involved in both classical and jazz woodwind performance. Brendon has performed in various musical mediums throughout the United States and has maintained active teaching studios in-person and online in New York, Texas, Florida, and Maine. 

Brendon is the Director of the Jazz Band and the Wind Ensemble at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. In addition to his responsibilities as a conductor, he teaches woodwinds as an Applied Music Associate. Brendon also performs with the Colby Symphony Orchestra and the Colby Jazz Collective.

In addition to his musical responsibilities at Colby College, Brendon founded the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in Music Organization (IDEAs in Music). The only organization of its kind on campus currently, this group provides a space for students, faculty, and staff to discuss the most pressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in music.

Brendon’s active musical career has led to performances with José M. Aponte, The Barcelona Clarinet Players, Scott Belck, Wayne Bergeron, Ron Carter, John Clayton, Carey Deadman, Rosana Eckert, Gregg Field, Quamon Fowler, Keith Ganz, Marshall Gilkes, Gordon Goodwin, Frank Greene, Stefon Harris, Jimmy Heath, Steve Houghton, Hugh Jackman, Sean Jones, Audrey Ochoa, Brad Leali, Sal Lozano, Johnny Mathis, Joe McBride, Marcus Miller, Christian McBride, Kate McGarry, Chris Potter, Rashawn Ross, Rex Richardson, Eric Scortia, Doc Severinsen, Jim Walker, Jiggs Whigham, and many others.

As part of his commitment to increasing the musical possibilities available to jazz flutists, Wilkins has been a leader in the National Flute Association’s jazz flute community. He currently serves as the NFA Jazz Flute Competition Coordinator and as a member of the Jazz Flute Committee. He previously served as an Advising Member for the Jazz Flute Committee. Wilkins was named a winner of the 2015 National Flute Association Jazz Flute Masterclass competition. He was also selected as a featured soloist in the NFA Jazz Flute Big Band in the same year.

Brendon earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Multiple Woodwinds with a cognate in Music Technology from the University of Miami. He also graduated from the University of North Texas with a Master of Music in Multiple Woodwinds, a Bachelor of Music Education, and a Bachelor of Jazz Studies.

Brendon has studied flute with Mary Karen Clardy, Jennifer Grim, Elizabeth McNutt; jazz with Brad Leali, Alex Fraile, Mike Steinel, Chris McGuire, and Fred Hamilton; saxophone with Eric Nestler and Dale Underwood; clarinet with Margaret Donaghue, Deborah Fabian, and Connor O’Meara; bassoon with Kathleen Reynolds, Gabriel Beavers, and Jorge Cruz; and oboe with James Ryon and Robert Weiner.