Dr. Michael Averett is associate professor of trumpet at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Before his appointment at Samford, Averett served 13 years as director of brass studies and professor of trumpet at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. He is a Yamaha Performing Artist and performs exclusively on Yamaha trumpets.
Averett has performed extensively throughout the United States as a guest recitalist and lecturer, collaborating with high school and university wind ensembles, orchestras and marching bands. Internationally, he has performed and taught in England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Mexico, Cuba, China, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Notable international engagements include performances and master classes at the Beijing Modern Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai Arts Academy, University of Aerospace and Aeronautics and University of the Arts in Nanjing, China; Chung Yuan Christian University in Taipei, Taiwan; the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England; Mahidol Conservatory of Music in Bangkok, Thailand; HuTech University and the University of Economics and Finance in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; the Ho Chi Minh Conservatory of Music; the Conservatorio Amadeo Roldán; and the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Cuba.
As an orchestral trumpeter, Averett has performed with a wide range of city, regional and international orchestras including the IHS World Orchestra, Wichita Grand Opera, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Topeka Symphony, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Marion Philharmonic, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Sinfónica of Monterrey, Mexico, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Western Piedmont Symphony, Hickory Choral Society and the Fort Wayne Bach Collegium.
From 2008 to 2011, Averett served as a solo cornetist with the internationally acclaimed Fountain City Brass Band. During his tenure, the ensemble won two U.S. Open National Championships and three North American Brass Band Championships. He also performed on the band’s 2009 album, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which was named Best Brass Band Recording of the Year by fourbarsrest.com. That same year, the group became the first North American brass band to win a major European championship, taking first place at the 2009 Scottish Open.
Averett is also a founding member of the Mient Duo, a trumpet and guitar ensemble committed to exploring new and diverse repertoire. The duo released its debut album, Avalon, in fall 2019, followed by souls like birds... on Centaur Records in fall 2022, and its third album, The Sunflower Sessions, in summer 2025. Their work can be found on all major streaming platforms and has been featured on Kansas Public Radio.
In the community, Averett has served as a Wishmaker through the Children’s Wish Foundation and as a mentor at the House of Joshua, a Christian halfway house supporting recently paroled individuals as they reintegrate into society. Additionally, he has held multiple church music positions and is currently worship leader at Riverchase Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
