Teagan Kimbrell, a senior tuba player from Traverse City Central High School, has been selected for the prestigious Blue Lake International Exchange Program! This summer, June/July 2025, she will be performing as one of just two tuba players in the Blue Lake International Symphony Band, traveling across Germany and France to represent her community as a musical ambassador. This incredible opportunity will allow Teagan to immerse herself in the culture and perform with a talented group of musicians from across the country.

In addition to her Blue Lake International opportunity, Teagan was recently selected to perform in the Western Michigan All-Star Band, which brings together talented student musicians from across Michigan, alongside guest composer Viet Cuong. Teagan plans to attend Western Michigan University in Fall 2025 to double major in Tuba Performance, where she recently auditioned and was accepted into the program, and Graphic Design. She also has plans to join the Western Michigan University Marching and Pep Bands, where she will continue to share her love for music with others.

Throughout her musical journey, Teagan has been supported by some amazing mentors, including Mr. Peter Deneen, Retired Director of Bands at Traverse City East Middle School, who introduced her to the tuba and helped guide her transition from trumpet to tuba. She also receives ongoing guidance from Mr. Thomas Vieira, Director of Bands at Traverse City Central High School, and Brielan Andersen, her private tuba instructor, both of whom have played an instrumental role in shaping her musical development. Their dedication to her progress continues to inspire and support Teagan every step of the way.

Teagan is now looking to purchase a high-quality, used CC 5/4 rotary valve tuba to support her college journey. * (see updates, she found a tuba and is now trying to pay it off). As she plans to attend Western Michigan University to double major in Tuba Performance and Graphic Design, having a CC tuba is essential for her continued development as a musician. The estimated cost of a well-maintained used tuba is $8,000 - $10,000.

For years, Teagan has been fortunate to borrow a tuba from her school, but now that she’s fully committed to making tuba performance a cornerstone of her future, owning a personal instrument is crucial. The CC tuba will not only be an investment for her Blue Lake International opportunity but also serve her throughout her college years and beyond, in both academic and extracurricular settings.

How You Can Help:

Donate: If you’d like to support Teagan’s journey and help her purchase the tuba she needs, you can donate directly through GoFundMe or reach out for other options. Any contribution, big or small, is deeply appreciated.

Share: If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your friends and family. The more people who know about Teagan’s story, the greater the chance of her reaching her goal!

Words of encouragement: Let Teagan know you're cheering her on!

Thank you so much for your generosity and for being part of Teagan’s journey. Your support means the world to us as she pursues her dreams of becoming a professional musician and sharing her passion with the world!