Brad Dawson is Assistant Professor of Music at Fort Hays State University where he teaches trumpet, jazz ensembles, jazz improvisation, jazz history, and method classes. He is a graduate of Fort Hays State University and the University of North Texas where he studied with John J. Haynie. While at North Texas he was a Graduate Teaching Fellow in applied trumpet and played the jazz trumpet chair in the 2 O'clock Lab Band and University Brass Choir. FHSU's Jazz Ensemble I has been selected to perform at the Kansas Music Educators convention numerous times. The group has also made appearances at the Wichita Jazz Festival and University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival. Brad has presented music technology papers at the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Mr. Dawson is very active as a performer. In addition to playing principal trumpet with the Hays Symphony, he performs with several small jazz groups and big bands as well as being a guest soloist for high school groups throughout the state. He has also presented many solo recitals and performs for numerous recitals, concerts and events presented by the Department of Music including the Cathedral Concert, Faculty Showcase, and High Plains Band Camp during which he has performed with Allen Vizzutti, Wycliff Gordon, Rodney Jones, Dave Pietro and John Fedchock.