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Ricky Spears
Ricky Spears, Assistant Professor, Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
Trumpet
Dr. Ricky L. Spears is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of Trumpet at
Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He holds degrees from Morehead State University (BME
'08), Eastern Kentucky University (MM '11), and the University of Oklahoma (DMA '23).
An accomplished trumpeter in orchestral and commercial music, Dr. Spears performed with artists
such as the Temptations, The Four Tops, Dave Koz, Wycliff Gordan, Sandi Patty, Kyle Dillingham,
Lucas Ross, Susan Powell, Sherman Andrus, and recently can be found on the 20th anniversary
album of “Celtic Woman”.
Before beginning his career in academia, Dr. Spears toured as a professional musician for various
Broadway productions, including Beauty and the Beast, Elf, A Christmas Story, and the
International Shanghai tour of A Chorus Line. He also lived and performed in Macau, China, as part
of Dragone - Cirque De Soleil show “Taboo”.
Office: OBF 114
Email: ricky.spears@siu.edu
In addition to his academic and performing roles, Dr. Spears leads successful collegiate and high
school trumpet studios. His students routinely compete in the National Trumpet Competition,
perform regularly as freelance musicians, and maintain professional summer work as performers
and teachers. Dr. Spears' dynamic and inspirational teaching style has made him a highly soughtafter teacher for trumpet players of all ages and abilities. A native of Ashland, Kentucky, Dr. Spears resides in Carbondale, Illinois with his family.