ABOUT

Currently the Visiting Lecturer of Trombone at Baylor University, Austin Richardson has enjoyed a varied career as an orchestral trombonist and educator. In addition to teaching at Baylor, Austin holds the Principal Trombone position with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, and is on temporary leave as the principal trombonist with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (New Orleans, LA). He joined the LPO as principal trombone in 2022, and subsequently joined the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra in 2024. Prior to his positions in Louisiana, Austin served as Principal Trombone with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra (Richardson, TX). He has also performed with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Mobile Symphony Orchestra, Meridian Symphony Orchestra, Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, Monroe Symphony Orchestra, Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, and The Florida Orchestra. During the summers, Austin has been a guest musician with the Lakes Area Music Festival (Brainerd, MN), the Artosphere Festival Orchestra (Fayetteville, AR) and the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music (Santa Cruz, CA). 

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 multiple prizewinner at the International Women’s Brass Conference, and a concerto competition winner at both Louisiana State University and the University of North Texas. Austin presented at the 2023 and 2024 International Trombone Festival through 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. In January of 2026, Austin will make his solo debut with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, 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. Prior to joining the faculty at Baylor University, Austin was the Instructor of Trombone at Loyola University New Orleans. In addition to collegiate teaching, Austin has taught elementary through high school low brass as a teaching artist for Kids' Orchestra, a mentor through the LPO Academy, and as a private instructor. 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, Tarleton State University, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Austin received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and his Master's degree from Louisiana State University. He is currently a doctoral candidate for the 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. Austin is proud to be an S.E. Shires Artist.