Miles is an active freelance performer in a wide variety of musical genres. In addition to his position in the Long Beach Symphony, he is also 3rd trumpet in the Santa Barbara Symphony, a full-time trumpet player in the Disneyland Band, and a member of Presidio Brass, a nationally and internationally touring brass quintet.  He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Redlands and a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance at California State University Fullerton. 

He has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Pacific Symphony, San Diego Symphony and Pops, New West Symphony, California Philharmonic, and many other regional orchestras and groups throughout Southern California. From 2011-2013, he played lead trumpet for Carnival Cruise Lines in numerous showbands performing in their production shows and live variety sets.  

With a contagious smile and captivating charm, trumpet virtuoso, Byron Stripling, has ignited audiences internationally. As soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Stripling has performed frequently under the baton of Keith Lockhart, as well as being featured soloist on the PBS television special, Evening at Pops, with conductors John Williams and Mr. Lockhart. Currently, Stripling serves as artistic director and Conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, Stripling has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with Boston Pops, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and Dallas Symphony, to name a few. He has been a featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and performs at jazz festivals throughout the world.

An accomplished actor and singer, Mr. Stripling was chosen, following a worldwide search, to star in the lead role of the Broadway bound musical, Satchmo. Many will remember his featured cameo performance in the television movie, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, and his critically acclaimed virtuoso trumpet and riotous comedic performance in the 42nd Street production of From Second Avenue to Broadway. Television viewers have enjoyed his work as soloist on the worldwide telecast of The GRAMMY Awards. Millions have heard his trumpet and voice on television commercials, TV theme songs including 20/20, CNN, and soundtracks of favorite movies.

Mr. Stripling earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Thad Jones and Frank Foster. He has also played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, and Buck Clayton in addition to The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and The GRP All Star Big Band. Mr. Stripling enjoys conducting seminars and master classes at colleges, universities, conservatories, and high schools. His informative talks, combined with his incomparable wit and charm, make him a favorite guest speaker to groups of all ages. Mr. Stripling was educated at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. One of his greatest joys is to periodically return to Eastman and Interlochen as a special guest lecturer.

A resident of Ohio, Mr. Stripling lives in the country with his wife, former dancer, writer and poet, Alexis and their two beautiful daughters.

Darren Mulder enjoys an active performing, teaching and recording career in Southern California. He has been a member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra since 1996, and he actively works with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Opera, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and Santa Monica Symphony. Darren spent three years as principal trumpet of the National Autonomous University of Mexico’s Philharmonic Orchestra. He also enjoyed performing at the Spoleto Festival of the Two Worlds in Italy. He is currently trumpet professor and wind ensemble director at The Colburn School of the Performing Arts. Darren earned a Bachelor’s degree in music education from CSU Long Beach and a Master’s degree in trumpet performance from the USC.

Tenured in 2001

Marissa Benedict has been a freelance trumpet player in the Los Angeles area for 33 years. As well as playing in The Long Beach Symphony, she is also principal trumpet in The Pasadena Symphony and the Pasadena Pops Orchestra. She plays with such groups as The Los Angeles Opera, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra and The Long Beach Municipal Band. She can be heard on nearly 100 motion picture recordings and to name a few; Indiana Jones IV, Avatar, Sucker Punch, War of the Worlds and The Terminal. While staying busy with her music career she and her husband Mike just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and have raised three children. Katelyn has just graduated from Eastman School of Music in French horn performance, Andrew is in his 3rd year as a Nutrition major at Chico State and their youngest Cori is a junior in high school.