About Us

Chris Fensom, Trumpet

Chris Fensom enjoys a diverse career as a chamber musician, orchestral player, and as a teacher. As a member of the Ballantyne Brass Quintet since its beginning, he has played in various locations in and around the Charlotte area. He also teaches a full studio of trumpet students at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Additionally, in 2005, he became a member of the Charleston Symphony after having held positions in the Charlotte Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Dallas Symphony. He began his orchestral career with the Virginia Symphony, based in Norfolk, Virginia as Assistant Principal Trumpet.

Prior to these engagements, he earned his Bachelor’s degree at McGill University in Montréal as well as a Master’s degree with a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife, Tara, and daughter, Hannah.

Tadd Hoffman, Trumpet

Tadd Hoffman, an alumnus of The Juilliard School in New York, is a free-lance orchestral and solo trumpet player. He has performed at such venues as Alice Tully Hull, Avery Fisher Hall, the Metropolitan Opera House, and Carnegie Hall and throughout Europe. While at The Juilliard School, he was a student of Melvyn Broiles, Raymond Mase, William Vacchiano and Philip Smith, and performed with the Juilliard Orchestra and Symphony. In addition to being a professional free-lance musician, Mr. Hoffman is an Information Technology Consultant in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Judith White, French Horn

Judith White grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. She studied at Vanderbilt University and played in the Nashville Symphony, as well as doing “backups” for country-western musicians. After moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, she studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory. She later played in the Roanoke, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina Symphonies. Judith currently plays in a horn quartet, the Charlotte Civic Orchestra, and the Ballantyne Brass Quintet.

Josh Diaz, Trombone

Josh Diaz is the founder of the Ballantyne Brass Quintet. Originally from Eastern Pennsylvania, Josh has been a freelance Trombonist in Charlotte, North Carolina since his arrival in the Queen City in 2003. With over 30 years experience, his background includes Latin, Big Band, R&B, Gospel, Orchestral, Musicals and Chamber Ensembles. He studied at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania under James Erdman, former Principal Trombonist of the “Presidents Own” Marine Band.

Ron Elmore, Tuba

Ron Elmore holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with William Bell and Harvey Phillips. He has held various positions as a high school and college band director in Indiana and Ohio. A professional tubaist and electric bass player, Mr. Elmore is also Assistant Conductor and a Board Member of the Charlotte Concert Band and Assistant Conductor of Choral and Instrumental Music at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is an original member of the Ballantyne Brass Quintet.