CJ Waldrop joins the Concord Conservatory of Music with a teaching philosophy rooted in collaboration and creative problem-solving. A versatile musician with a background spanning from competitive marching band to musical theater and choral leadership, CJ believes that the best learning happens when teacher and student enjoy making music together. For CJ, teaching is an opportunity to discover each student’s unique strengths and solve challenges as a team, one note at a time.

A graduate of Furman University (B.M. in Trumpet Performance, 2023) and completed his M.M. in Trumpet Performance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee (May 2025), CJ has been teaching trumpet for over five years. He brings a deep sense of curiosity to his lessons, often noting that he learns as much from his students as they do from him.

Beyond the classroom, CJ is an active and vibrant performer in the Greater Boston area. He has appeared with ensembles such as the Horizon Ensemble, B-Line Brass, the Wellesley Hills Bells, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. One of his most exciting current ventures is Chop Break Duo, a trumpet-and-piano show of his own design that has toured across four states and counting.

CJ’s musical journey began at age seven in musical theater, a passion that eventually led him to roles both on and off the stage, as well as leadership positions in a cappella clubs and choirs. This multi-faceted experience allows him to bring a well-rounded perspective to his trumpet students, helping them find their own unique voice on the stage.