Brass Faculty

Eric Berlin

Professor, Trumpet

Eric Berlin holding a trumpet.
Yamaha Performing Artist Eric Berlin has made the music of our time the focus of his career. As a soloist, he has commissioned, premiered and recorded new works for trumpet from some of today’s most important composers, including Christopher Rouse, George Tsontakis, Stephen Paulus, Joseph Turrin, Anthony Plog, Eric Ewazen, and James Stephenson.
Eric Berlin holding a trumpet.
John Bottomley

Senior Lecturer, Tuba & Euphonium

A headshot of John Bottomley holding a tuba.
John Bottomley joined the faculty of University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2009, having previously taught at collegiate institutions including: Kent State University, Miami University (Ohio), and Wright State University. John also maintains an active performing career as an orchestral and chamber musician and has performed with such groups as the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, West Virginia Symphony, Cincinnati Opera and Ballet Orchestras, and the Albany Symphony Orchestra.
A headshot of John Bottomley holding a tuba.
Joshua Michal

Associate Professor, Horn

Joshua Michal holding a french horn in a brightly light room with wide windows.
A native of Ohio, Joshua Michal is the Associate Professor of Horn at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA. He is a member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and a faculty member at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in Michigan.
Joshua Michal holding a french horn in a brightly light room with wide windows.
Gregory Spiridopoulos

Professor, Trombone; Brass Area Coordinator

A headshot of Greg Spiridopoulos posed with his trombone.
Trombonist Greg Spiridopoulos has gained recognition as one of the most sought after trombonists in New England. Since 2001, Mr. Spiridopoulos has been principal trombone of the Albany Symphony Orchestra, which is dedicated to commissioning and recording new American works. He can be heard on the Albany Symphony’s 2014 Grammy winning album, Conjurer, featuring music by John Corigliano, and the 2016 Grammy nominated album, Kabir Padavali, featuring music by Christopher Rouse.
A headshot of Greg Spiridopoulos posed with his trombone.