Robert Hackl-Blumstein – Brass / Piano

Robert Hackl-Blumstein is a freelance trombonist and music educator active in the Chicago area. He completed his master’s degree in Trombone Performance from Northwestern University. He previously studied at Juilliard School of Music where he received his bachelor’s degree.

Robert maintains an active performance schedule. He is a member of the Millar Brass Ensemble, an associate member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and a regular substitute with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. Robert has served as a member of the Verbier Festival Orchestra, and is a two-time Tanglewood Music Center fellow. Additionally, Robert has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has played under the baton of Andris Nelsons, Neil Blomstedt, Michael Tilson Thomas, Alan Gilbert, and others, and has also performed with Yo-Yo Ma, Håkan Hardenberger, and Justin Timberlake.

Robert has a strong background in music education, and teaching trombone has been an important and continuous element of his career. Outside of AMI, he is the faculty trombone instructor at Schaumburg High School, and maintains an active online teaching studio. Beyond instrumental lessons, he is also a music theory and cognition tutor, and an active substitute teacher. Robert has experience working with students of all ages, and aims to empower them to achieve their own goals, give them the tools to make musical decisions, and teach students the technique and skills they need to share their musicianship.