Directors
Kay Fairchild, Co-Director
A founding co-director of the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble (ATE), Kay Fairchild is one of Atlanta’s most respected brass educators and clinicians. In her role with ATE, she leads ensemble programming, artistic direction, and educational outreach. Under her leadership the ensemble has appeared at the GMEA In-Service Conference, Western Carolina Trumpet Festival, and many prominent venues across the Southeast.
Kay has also served as an Artist Affiliate at Emory University, where she taught applied trumpet, coached multiple Emory brass quintets and ensemble groups, led brass sectionals, and directed the university’s trumpet ensemble, ETC. Her tenure on Emory’s faculty underscores her commitment to high-level pedagogy.
In her private teaching studio throughout metro Atlanta, Kay has mentored many students who achieve All-State Band and Orchestra honors yearly. Her former students have matriculated to elite conservatories and gone on to distinguished careers in performance, conducting, education, and other fields.
Before dedicating her career to education and ensemble leadership, Kay toured internationally (U.S., China, Japan), performed with figures such as Doc Severinsen and Timofei Dokschitzer, and was a founding member of the Ivy Street Brass. She also serves as staff trumpeter for First Baptist Church of Decatur, Georgia.
Dr. David Fairchild, Co-Director
David Fairchild co-founded the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble alongside his mother, Kay, and continues to guide their artistic vision and growth. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Georgia State University and a Master’s in Music Education from the University of Georgia.
Since 1999, David has served as an enlisted Technical Sergeant with the Air National Guard Band of the South, where he performs on trombone and euphonium in the Concert Band, Eagle’s Flight jazz ensemble, and small brass groups. He also leads recruiting and retention efforts for the band. In 2023, he was featured publicly as a group leader for Full Throttle, the rock/country ensemble of the Band of the South, which performed to enthusiastic audiences in regional community concerts.
In addition to his military role, David is Director of Bands at Lakeside High School. His experience as a performer, conductor, and ensemble coach complements the broader mission of ATE, bridging artistic excellence with student development.
Outside of formal roles, David is known for his versatility—balancing ensemble performance, teaching, and administrative leadership in music, and often works behind the scenes in sound engineering and event management.