Gretchen McNamara, D.M.A.
Applied Trombone
Director of the Jazz Ensemble
Director of the University Trombone Ensemble
M219 Creative Arts Center
(937)775-2541
gretchen.mcnamara@wright.edu
Dr. Gretchen McNamara, a native of Seattle, Washington has earned a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music degree from Kent State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Washington. Before beginning the DMA, Dr. McNamara was the director of bands at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts in Baltimore, Maryland. Recently, she has been the featured soloist with the Kettering (Ohio) Civic Band, Wright State University Symphonic Band, Xavier University’s Symphonic Winds (Ohio) and the Shoreline Concert Band (Washington), and has performed with the Lima Symphony Orchestra and the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra. In addition to teaching trombone at Wright State University, she directs the Jazz Ensemble and teaches Instrumental Music Education classes. Outside of her position at Wright State University, Dr. McNamara serves on the Dayton Philharmonic Education Committee and writes CD Recording Reviews for the International Trombone Association. She also maintains a private trombone studio with students from Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. Dr. McNamara has served on the faculty of Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory Department. Her principle instructors include David Vining, JoDee Davis, Mathew Guilford and Stuart Dempster.