2025 Carmine Caruso Competition Finalists
The ITG is thrilled to announce the five exceptional trumpet players selected as finalists for the 2025 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition. These finalists were chosen through a blind audition process by a three person panel that included two past Caruso winners: Marquis Hill (2013), Benny Benack III (2011), and Billy Buss.The final round will take place on October 25, 2025, at the University of North Texas in Denton, and will be hosted by Philip Dizack, winner of the 2005 Caruso Competition.
Please join us in congratulating the 2025 finalists:
Stéphane Clément — originally from Miami, Florida
Carter Eng — originally from Seattle, Washington
Austin Ford — originally from Portland, Oregon
Geoff Gallante — originally from Alexandria, Virginia
Andrew Stephens — originally from Sacramento, California
This year’s esteemed jury includes:
• Nicholas Payton - Grammy Award-winning trumpeter
• Ingrid Jensen - 1995 Caruso winner and internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter & educator
• Terell Stafford - internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter & educator
In addition to the competition performances, the event will feature a special Caruso Clinic led by legendary hornist, Julie Landsman, former principal horn of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the world’s foremost expert on the Caruso method. An additional instrument demonstration and clinic will be presented by Caruso Sponsor, Lotus Trumpets Founder, Adam Rapa.
We look forward to welcoming our finalists to campus this fall as they compete for $15,000 in prizes, and one of the most prestigious titles in jazz trumpet performance.