Travis Mandel is Principal Trumpet of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, Cathedral Brass & a member of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces. Born and raised in the National Capital Region, he began the trumpet at age 14 in the Centre d’excellence artistique at l’École secondaire publique De La Salle. He later pursued his studies at the University of Ottawa where he completed both his Bachelor and Masters degree under the tutelage of Eric Rupp. His desire to perfect his craft led him to the University of Montreal where he took selected courses in orchestral performance while studying with renowned trumpeter and pedagogue, Manon Lafrance. In recent years, Travis has participated in a number of masterclasses and seminars, most notably at the Center for Advanced Musical Studies at Chosen Vale (2016 & 2017) where he had the opportunity to work with soloists Hakan Harderberger, Clément Saulnier & Marco Blaaw as well as a host of orchestral players including Thomas Stevens, James Thompson & Craig Morris.
Over his career, Travis has appeared in concert with many orchestras in Eastern Canada, most notably with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, l’Orchestre symphonique de Gatineau and l’Orchestre de la francophonie. He has played with a variety of military bands, and takes great pride in his role as the primary bugler of the National Military Cemetery. His career highlights include performing for their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla during the 2025 Royal Visit, appearing in concert with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, sharing the stage with jazz artist Diana Krall as well as performing solo works with the University of Ottawa Orchestra, the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Pembroke Symphony Orchestra.
Travis is a strong advocate for music education and thoroughly enjoys working with young musicians. For over a decade, he has worked in conjunction with academies and music programs, mentoring their trumpet students and brass players. His breadth of knowledge, passion, and charisma have made him a sought-after clinician, adjudicating festivals throughout Eastern Canada. Travis is currently on faculty at both Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, where he helps develop the next generation of professional musicians.
Brandon Wilkie
Cellist Brandon Wilkie grew up in Pembroke, Ontario where he began playing cello at the age of 13. His first teacher was Peter Morris. Not that many years later, he performed the Elgar Cello Concerto with The DRSO in December 2003. After high school, Brandon studied with several renowned teachers including Matt Haimovitz at McGill University and Shauna Rolston at the University of Toronto.
For several years, he was based in Toronto where he was a member of the Arkadas String Quartet. As a member of the group, he performed at major music festivals in Banff and San Francisco.
As a recording artist, Brandon has been featured on the debut recording by the Capital Chamber Choir of Ottawa performing Jocelyn Morlock’s “Exaudi”. He also participated in a debut recording of chamber works by composer Joanna Estelle on the Parma Records label and has collaborated on several film scores.
In that time away, he returned as guest cellist with the DRSO in 2008 to perform the Dvorak cello concerto, in 2014 to perform the Saint-Saens cello concerto and 2017 in a concert of baroque music.
Brandon currently resides in Deep River, Ontario with his wife and two children. He is a trained Suzuki instructor, and also performs regularly throughout eastern Ontario and western Quebec with his wife Dian as the piano/cello ensemble Luxe Duo.
Adam Nelson
Concert violinist and teacher Adam Nelson started violin at the age of 5 in the small town of Port Elgin where he grew up. After finishing his undergraduate degree at Wilfrid Laurier University, and his Masters in Violin Performance at University of Ottawa, he settled with his wife in the Barrhaven area. Aside from performing with major ensembles such as the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Nelson runs a large private violin studio, with many of his students winning top honours at major Canadian music festivals.
