Biography

Hailing from Concord, North Carolina, Hayden Abercrombie (b. 2005) is an active horn player and passionate music educator. Described as "playing with a gorgeous sound" by critics, and "stubbornly dedicated to succeeding" by colleagues, he enjoys an active, rich, and varied career as a solo artist, orchestral player, and private lesson instructor. He has appeared in PBS Specials (Premier Stage at UNCSA), onstage at the Sydney Opera House, and as a dedicated member of a number of ensembles, ranging from collegiate bands to ballet pits to professional symphonies. Recent career highlights include performances with the Durham Symphony Orchestra, competing in the solo competition at the first Schwob Brass Festival, and performing as a member of the UNC Greensboro Wind Ensemble at the 2025 Collegiate Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Conference in Fort-Worth, Texas.

Hayden has performed in masterclasses for Jennifer Montone, David Cooper, Catherine Turner, and Dr. Anne-Marie Cherry. He is currently pursuing his Bachelors of Music Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studies with Dr. Maria Serkin. At UNCSA, Hayden is an active member of the horn studio and the Sunnyside Brass, a quintet which he founded in 2023. Previously, Hayden spent two years at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro studying with Dr. Abigail Pack. He also holds a high school diploma from UNCSA, as well as a certificate in Instrumental Music from the North Carolina Governor's School. Through all these experiences, Hayden has established himself as a prolific performer of new works, including a recent premiere of the horn solo Sparks (2025) by composer Peter Noll, and upcoming commissions of new and varied chamber repertoire. In addition to playing horn, Hayden also serves as the bass section leader in the chancel choir of Maple Springs United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem.

Hayden plans to return to school to receive graduate degrees in performance and enjoy a lifetime of teaching horn at the collegiate level, performing professionally, and both sponsoring and performing in new solo and chamber projects. He has a particular passion for works by women and people of color, and dreams of establishing himself as a well-regarded published artist for a variety of works and causes. When not on stage or in the practice room, Hayden enjoys spending quality time with his friends and family, visiting National Parks, and playing with his dog, Treble.