Atlas Brass

Ed Hirschman - Trumpet

Ed is the leader and founder of the Atlas Brass. He has appeared with many top performers including Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk, Bruce Springsteen, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Lou Christee, Gary U.S. Bonds, The 4 Tops, Jon Faddis, Maynard Ferguson, Curtis Fuller and Lou Rawls.
Ed has held down the trumpet chair for several tri-state area bands including Boulevard East, Spectrum and Steppin' Out. In 2011, he performed with the Allentown Symphony backing up the Empire Brass Quintet.
While in college, Ed played lead trumpet in the Rutgers University Jazz Band. Prior to college, he was lead trumpet for the McDonald's All American High School Jazz Band, Principal trumpet for the New Jersey Youth Symphony (under tutelage of Doug Haislip of the Solid Brass) and Principal Trumpet for the MENC All Eastern Orchestra. Ed has studied privately with Phil Ruecktenwald, Nick Marino, Jim Sakofsky and noted brass quintet arranger Paul Nagle.

A product of a Michigan band environment of great vitality, Mike credits his early trumpet teachers Eric Payton and Clarence “Jake” Wade for establishing and inspiring high standards of technique and musicianship. Mike was a music composition major at Michigan State University, studied trumpet with Byron Autry, and later studied composing music for film at University of California at Los Angeles.
After several years of writing and arranging for bands and studios in Hollywood, he moved to New York City and became involved in composition work of a different sort: typographic composition, and the world of printing, graphic design and art direction. While working as a designer and art director, and maintaining his connection to music through writing and piano performance, eventually the call of the trumpet was heard again. Trumpet studies resumed, first with Jerome Callet and later with Vincent Penzarella of the New York Philharmonic.
Currently, Mike maintains an active schedule in trumpet performance in a wide variety of venues: pit orchestras, bands, small jazz combos, church services, jam sessions, various brass ensembles and orchestras, and also jazz piano performance.

Craig Levesque is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (B.A., Music Theory and Composition; M.A., Music History) and Rutgers University (Ph.D., Music Theory and Composition).
His primary composition teachers were Niel Sir, Dr. Andrew Boysen, Jr. and Pulitzer Prize winning composer Charles Wuorinen. Dr. Levesque teaches Theory and Ear Training at Rutgers University and The Westminster Conservatory of Music, where he also teaches Horn and Composition.
He is in demand as a composer and arranger, with numerous premieres and performances throughout the Northeast.

Jim received his BA from Trenton State College and his MM University of Michigan. He studied under David Uber.
In addition to his duties with Atlas Brass, Jim is an active freelance trombonist and teaches music in Hamilton Township, NJ.
Mr. Penkala has performed with the Trenton Symphony, Delaware Valley Philharmonic, Newtown Chamber Symphony, Papermill Playhouse Orchestra, Boheme Opera Company, Midnight Sun Orchestra and the Lenny Enourato Big Band.

Mark Benson is a graduate of Central Michigan University (B.M., Music Performance) and Michigan State University (M.M. and Ph.D., Music Theory and Composition).
A versatile low brass doubler and teacher, Dr. Benson has served on the faculties of Michigan State University, Penn State University, Ferris State University, Bucks County Community College and the National Arts Camp at Interlochen.
He currently lives in Yardley, Pennsylvania with his wife, oboist Beth Benson and their two children. He maintains an active performance and private teaching schedule and works as a piano technician.