Nancy Taylor, D.M.A.

Dr. Nancy Taylor is Professor of Instruction in Trumpet and Coordinator of Wind & Percussion Studies at The University of Texas at El Paso. An active performer, educator, author, and occupational therapist, she has built a career at the intersection of musical performance, pedagogy, and musician health and wellness.

Taylor serves as Principal Trumpet of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and is a Performing Artist for S.E. Shires Co. She has worked throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe as a soloist, teacher, clinician, adjudicator, and occupational therapist specializing in musician health and wellness. Earlier in her career, Taylor made history as the first woman appointed to the trumpet section of The President’s Own United States Marine Band. During her eight years with the Marine Band, she performed regularly at the White House, the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and other official and ceremonial events in Washington, D.C. Additionally participated in presidential inaugurations, national concert tours, and appears on numerous recordings with the ensemble.

A licensed and board-certified occupational therapist, Taylor was an early advocate for bringing occupational therapy into the emerging field of musician health and wellness. She has worked with musicians experiencing performance-related injuries and has provided clinics, consultations, and university residencies across the country. Her work has been presented at major music education conferences, including the Midwest Clinic, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, California Music Educators Association, and Conn-Selmer Institute.

Taylor continues to consult with musicians nationwide who seek her expertise in injury prevention, ergonomics, and healthy performance. She is the author of Teaching Healthy Musicianship: The Music Educator’s Guide to Injury Prevention and Wellness, published by Oxford University Press, the first book devoted specifically to providing music educators with practical strategies for incorporating health and injury prevention into their teaching.

Taylor is active in leadership and service within the trumpet and brass communities. She has served on the Board of Directors of the International Trumpet Guild and currently serves as Publications Editor of the International Trumpet Guild Journal. She also chairs the International Women’s Brass Conference Solo Competition and has been active in initiatives supporting equity, professional conduct, and opportunity within the brass community.

At UTEP, Taylor maintains an active trumpet studio and is committed to student mentorship, inclusive music education, and meaningful engagement with the El Paso community. Her teaching has been recognized by Dr. Ann and Charles Horak III Teaching Excellence Endowment Award and the College of Liberal Arts Career Enhancement Award.

Taylor holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Texas Tech University, degrees in trumpet performance from Arizona State University and Indiana University, and the Master of Occupational Therapy degree from UTEP.​