Candice Neel
Candice Neel was born in Moore, Oklahoma (2004). She started her musical journey on piano as a child and eventually took up the euphonium when she was 13. While in high school, she started her instagram page "smallhandsbigmusic" where she posted her practice progress, performances, and educational tidbits. She has since become one of the most followed euphonium players on social media in the world, currently sitting at over 54k followers.
Candice's Adams Gear
Candice has been a featured soloist for various ensembles, performing works like Arthor Pryor's "Blue Bells of Scotland" and Phillip Sparke's "Harlequin." Since 2022, she has been the solo euphonium for the Frontier Brass band, a competitive ensemble based in Oklahoma that is a notable force in the American brass band scene.
During her time with Frontier, she has been able to work with virtuosos such as David Childs and has won the US Masters in Kansas City two times while also having placed in the Dallas Brass Band Festival and the St Louis Gateway Championship.
For her undergraduate degree, Candice is currently at the University of Oklahoma as the principal euphoniumist. She studies under Brian Dobbins, a Bb Bass in the esteemed Fountain City Brass Band. Outside of the performance scene, Candice also has a strong passion for education and conducting.
She has taught a private lesson studio since 2022, and also works with local marching bands as an adjunct instructor. Additionally, she has been an educator and conductor for the OU Brass Choir and the New Horizons Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Jazz Combo.