ABOUT

Austin Richardson holds the Principal Trombone position with both the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. Prior to his positions in Louisiana, Austin served as Principal Trombone with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra (Richardson, TX). He has also performed with The Florida Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and many regional orchestras throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Austin has been a guest musician with the Lakes Area Music Festival (Brainerd, MN), the Artosphere Festival Orchestra (Fayetteville, AR), the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music (Santa Cruz, CA), and was previously a fellow at the National Orchestral Institute + Festival.  

As a soloist, Austin has been a finalist in the American Trombone Workshop’s National Solo Competition, a semi-finalist in the International Jeju Brass Competition, a prizewinner at the International Women’s Brass Conference, and a winner in concerto competitions at both Louisiana State University and the University of North Texas. Austin presented at the 2023 and 2024 International Trombone Festival as part of the Performing Artist Showcase series to highlight underperformed works. Dedicated to expanding the instrument's repertoire, Austin has helped commission new works for trombone from Brad Edwards, James Beckel, Iris Ceulemans and Christopher Sharpe. Austin will make his solo debut with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in 2026, performing Carlos Simon's "Troubled Water" concerto for trombone and orchestra. 

Equally passionate about music education and pedagogy, Austin has taught low brass at all levels throughout Louisiana and Texas. Currently, Austin is the Instructor of Trombone at Loyola University New Orleans. Austin also teaches middle and high school students as a mentor through the LPO Academy. He previously served as a Teaching Fellow at UNT, teaching the brass methods classes and coaching chamber music, and was the Instructor of Low Brass at Tarrant County College in Arlington, TX. Austin has presented guest recitals and masterclasses at the University of South Alabama, Louisiana State University, Loyola University New Orleans, the University of Texas at Arlington, Tarleton State University, and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 

Austin received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and a Master's degree from Louisiana State University. He is currently a doctoral candidate finishing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of North Texas. His primary teachers have included Steve Menard, Hana Beloglavec, Larry Zalkind, John Marcellus and Philip Brown.