Martha Thompson Sharpe

A native of Arizona, Martha Sharpe began her musical studies at the age of four on the piano. By age 10 she was ready for a new challenge and began playing the Horn. She progressed through the top bands and orchestras during Jr. High and High School and by her senior year was named principal Horn of the McDonald’s All American High School Band. During her tour with the McDonald’s band she had the opportunity to audition for several elite music schools. She chose to attend the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, TX. There she received both Bachelor and Master Degrees in Horn Performance. She was most fortunate to study with three masters of the Horn during her time at Rice: William Caballero, Thomas Bacon, and William VerMeulen. Following her studies at Rice she auditioned for and won a position with the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville in Spain. She enjoyed two wonderful years in Spain before marriage and family brought her back to Arizona.

Currently Martha enjoys a varied and full freelance career. She is currently principal horn of Symphony of the Southwest, Millennial Choirs and Orchestras, La Forza Chamber Orchestra, and Phoenix Brass Collective. She plays regularly with The Phoenix Symphony, The Tucson Symphony, New Mexico Philharmonic, and is a member of Sego Lily Horns based in Utah. Martha is the Arizona representative and regional Co-chair for the southwest region for the International Horn Society.