The Florida State Tuba and Euphonium studio is currently comprised of 36 students pursuing a variety of majors that include music performance, music education, music therapy, bachelor of arts, music composition, commercial music, and graduate degrees in music performance. The studio is currently under the direction of Dr. Matt Hightower.
Performance opportunities abound, each semester students in the FSU Tuba and Euphonium studio perform in a large ensemble, the FSU Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble or the Renegade 8, attend a weekly studio class, and a weekly private lesson.
Every fall semester, students have an opportunity to perform on a euphonium or tuba studio recital and every spring undergraduate students not presenting a degree recital are expected to perform a jury.
October means Octubafest at FSU. A monthlong celebration inspired by Harvey Phillips. All month long the studio participates in studio recitals, guest artist recitals and masterclasses, and concludes with a tuba-euphonium ensemble recital.
Each spring semester the studio performs on a spring tuba-euphonium concert and welcomes at least one guest artist to campus. This is also a very popular semester for student degree recitals.
Please feel free to contact us for more information!
Student Success
2025-26
Cayden Miller, wins euphonium position with the United States Navy Band
Renegade 8 Performs at SERTEC in Athens, GA
FSU Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble performs at SERTEC in Athens, GA
Yoni Zegeye, earns a substitute tuba position with the New World Symphony Orchestra
Cristian Vasquez featured on NPR’s “From the Top.”
Mike Anderson (MM 2025) Adjunct Tuba/Euphonium professor at Tennessee Tech University.
2024-25
Chris Bloom (DM 2024) wins tuba position with the United States “Pershing’s Own” Army Band.
Ramón Garavito (DM 2024) Visiting Assistant Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at Stephen F. Austin University
Cayden Miller named finalist for the United States Navy Band Euphonium Audition
Renegade 8 Performs in Valencia, Spain for the 2015 International Tuba Euphonium Conference.
Cayden Miller named semi-finalist for the United States “Pershing’s Own” Army Band Euphonium Audition
Colin Teague named semi finalist of ITEA Solo Tuba Competition in Valencia, Spain
Cayden Miller named semi-finalist of the ITEA Solo Euphonium Competition in Valencia, Spain
Charlie Nelson offered tuba position with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Summer Brass Institute
Charlie Nelson offered tuba position with the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Institute.
Levi Vickers offered a Teaching Assistantship Position to pursue an MM in Tub Performance at the University of Florida
2023-24
Ramón Garavito named Visiting Assistant Professor of Tuba-Euphonium at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Chris Bloom named Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at Colorado State University.
Mike Anderson wins Principal Tuba position with Knoxville Symphony.
Charlie Nelson offered tuba position with the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Institute.
Mike Anderson wins Principal Tuba position with the Harrisburg Symphony.
Jonah Zimmerman offered position with the US Air Force Bands.
Jonah Zimmerman was named a semifinalist with the US Coast Guard Band Euphonium Vacancy
Ramón Garavito named Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at Blinn College
Chris Bloom was named a finalist for the US Coast Guard Band Tuba Vacancy
Chris Bloom wins Principal Tuba position with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra
Jonah Zimmerman was offered a euphonium position with US Navy Fleet Bands
Mike Anderson was offered a tuba position with US Navy Fleet Bands
Levi Vickers participated in the 2023 Pokorny Seminar
Chris Bloom wins the 2023 ITEA Arnold Jacobs Mock Orchestra Competition
Mike Anderson wins the 2023 ITEA Mock Band Tuba Competition
The Florida State Tuba and Euphonium Studio 