Alia Kuhnert

San Francisco native Alia Kuhnert is a versatile and dynamic trumpet player and educator, recognized for her vibrant sound, engaging musicality and student-centered approach to teaching. In addition to her position at Pacific, she serves on the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Division and has been a faculty member at Cazadero Performing Arts Camp since 2014.

Kuhnert maintains an active performance career as a freelance orchestral musician, performing regularly with leading ensembles throughout Northern California and beyond. Her current engagements include Symphony San Jose, Oakland Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, Stockton Symphony, Opera San Jose, Rogue Valley Symphony, Modesto Symphony, Marin Symphony and Santa Cruz Symphony. Recent highlights include performing with BroadwaySF at Davies Symphony Hall in “Harry Potter 8,” appearing as trumpet soloist with the Fresno State Sutherland Wind Festival Gala Concert, and performing with The Worn Chamber Ensemble in Henze’s “Der langwierige Weg in die Wohnung der Natascha Ungeheuer.” She has also appeared as a guest artist and masterclass clinician at institutions and festivals throughout California, including Fresno State Brass Day, Fresno City College Brass Bash and Festival and the University of the Pacific’s Wind Bands Festival.

A dedicated educator, Kuhnert has taught students of all ages and experience levels through university programs, conservatories, arts organizations, summer programs and private instruction. Her teaching experience includes University of the Pacific, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, CSU Fresno, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, Enriching Lives through Music, Cazadero Performing Arts Camp and the Harmony Program. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes a supportive and student-centered environment that encourages musicians to develop their individual interests, strengths and goals while building the technical and musical foundation necessary for lifelong growth.

Kuhnert began playing the trumpet at age ten and quickly developed a deep and lasting passion for the instrument. In addition to her trumpet studies, she trained in classical piano and was a member of the San Francisco Girls Chorus, performing throughout the Bay Area, including regular appearances at Davies Symphony Hall. While living in New York, she co-founded eGALitarian, an all-female brass ensemble committed to empowering women through music and served as a substitute trumpet instructor at the Juilliard Pre-College.

Kuhnert holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in trumpet performance from Stony Brook University, where she graduated summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance from the New England Conservatory. Her principal teachers include Kevin Cobb of the American Brass Quintet, Boston Symphony Orchestra trumpeters Thomas Siders and Benjamin Wright, and Catherine Murtagh (Pacific alumna ‘77).

Outside of music, she enjoys art, archery and making ice cream.