Dr. Utah Hamrick is a jazz educator who holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and master’s in Bass Performance from Central Michigan University, and a DMA in Jazz Performance from the University of Texas. He currently performs with the Austin Symphony Big Band; Magnificent 7; Monster Big Band; Strings Attached; and various Austin and San Antonio artists, such as composer Graham Reynolds.

For ten years Dr. Hamrick taught at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Under his direction, the jazz ensemble received numerous recognitions, including Outstanding Collegiate Band at the Sam Houston State Jazz Festival and an invitation to perform at the 2016 TMEA conference. Dr. Hamrick was previously a bass instructor at Austin Community College and band director in the Ubly, Michigan Community Schools. In 2015 Dr. Hamrick joined the faculty at Texas State School of Music in San Marcos.