BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Carli Castillon serves as Adjunct Professor of Low Brass at the College of Central Florida in Ocala, teaching a studio of collegiate trombones, euphoniums, and tubas. Carli is an active performer playing as a substitute trombone with the Ocala Symphony and the Gainesville Orchestra, and has performed with the South Florida Orchestra in Miami. She performs in a jazz trio at Universal Studios' Epic Universe theme park. She has given performances at the International Trombone Festival, American Trombone Workshop, and the Florida Music Educators Association Conference. Her research lies in the gender biases of low brass teaching. She has presented her work at the International Women's Brass Conference and the International Trombone Festival. She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree (2025) from the University of Florida studying with Dr. Jemmie Robertson where she became the first woman to get a DMA on a brass instrument at UF. Here she also earned a graduate certificate in Women's Studies. She holds a Master of Music degree (2022) from Colorado State University, studying with Dr. Drew Leslie and a Bachelor of Music degree (2020) from the University of Florida.
In the marching arts world, Carli works with the world class Colts Drum & Bugle corps as a low brass technician. She is also a brass consultant for Ethereal Winds Independent, an indoor winds group in El Paso, TX. She has worked as a visual technician for the Buchholz High School Marching Band and a brass/visual technician for the University of Florida Fighting Gator Marching Band as well as the Colorado State University Marching Band. Versed in both trombone and euphonium playing, she offers private lessons for all low brass students in North Central Florida. Before teaching in Florida, Carli taught brass sectionals in Fort Collins, CO.
PRESENTATION
Abstract: Throughout the world, low brass musicians are predominantly male in performance, pedagogy, and practice. The purpose of this study was to survey female and transgender/gender non-conforming (TGNC) low brass professors across the United States to uncover any gender-based biases, discriminations, or obstacles they have faced in their positions. This study examined the effects of representation in higher music education (HME) and how we can undo the gendering of instruments. Professors responded to a survey about their experiences which yielded both quantitative and qualitative results. The findings of this study showed that the majority of female and TGNC low brass professors face gender-based discrimination and microaggressions in their everyday professions. In addition, survey results suggested that representation from these professors has encouraged diversity in their student populations.
