Ian Mertes

Originally from Cushing, Oklahoma, Ian Mertes is a second-year Trumpet Fellow at the New World Symphony. Prior to joining, he served as Interim Utility Trumpet with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons. Since 2024 Ian has also held the position of section trumpet with the Oregon Bach Festival in Eugene, Oregon, and he has performed as a guest artist with the Colorado Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Opera.

In addition to orchestral work, Ian has earned recognition in competitions as an individual and chamber musician. He won the International Trumpet Guild’s Orchestral Excerpts Competition in 2018 and was part of winning ensembles at the National Trumpet Competition in 2016, 2018 and 2021. He has also participated in leading summer festivals, including the National Repertory Orchestra (2023) and the Music Academy of the West (2020, 2021).

Ian began his studies with Dr. Ryan Gardner at Oklahoma State University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of music degree in education and received the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award. He continued his training at the University of Colorado Boulder, earning a master of music degree in performance under the mentorship of Dr. Gardner and Justin Bartels of the Colorado Symphony. Ian then pursued post-graduate studies with James Wilt of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Colburn School, where he completed a professional studies certificate in performance.