Global Whistling Championship 2021
~ Judge Profiles

Hayden Mapel

Hayden Mapel is a professional trombonist, composer, arranger, and music educator based in South Florida. He has toured the U.S, Canada, and Japan as part of the World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra and performed for thousands onboard several luxury cruise lines. He also leads his own jazz quartet that performs throughout South Florida and teaches private music lessons to students in the area. He holds a Masters Degree in Studio Music and Jazz Trombone Performance from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas in Jazz Trombone Performance. He also received several Downbeat Student Awards while completing his degrees. Hayden has performed with many greats of the music world including Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Bobby Caldwell, Timmy Thomas, Jimmy Heath, Rick Margitza, Arthur Barrow, John Fedchock, and John Faddis.

Mateja Kalajian

Mateja Kalajian is a graduate of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, with a Bachelors degree in violin performance, and also earned a Masters degree in violin performance from Florida International University. Mateja is a dynamic violinist; highly skilled in orchestral playing, improvisation, and recording sessions. She has performed in large ensembles such as the Henry Mancini Orchestra, FIU Filarmonia Orchestra, and many notable chamber ensembles. She is currently freelancing in South Florida and is a substitute violinist for the South Florida Symphony.

Romu Aoyagi

Aoyagi is a graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts’ Department of Musical Creativity and Environment with a bachelor's degree in Music and is currently a graduate student in Musical Education and Vocal Music at the TUA. Influenced by his brother, he began whistling at the age of five and later developed the skill further to make a career out of it. Upon his debut at the 41st International Whistlers Convention in 2014, he became the youngest contestant ever to win the Grand Championship. When he entered the inaugural Mezamashi Classics Virtuosity Championship in 2017, the judges lauded his refined skills and excellent musicality, and he won the championship as the only whistler in the game. Today, he continues to expand the horizons of whistling by performing with professional orchestras and with his leader unit “AOI”, a trio with shamisen and piano.

青柳呂武

東京藝術大学音楽環境創造科を卒業。現在は同大学院にて音楽教育と声楽を学ぶ。兄の影響を受けて5歳より口笛を吹き始め、やがて本格的に練習を始める。第41回国際口笛コンクールIWC2014に初出場し、史上最年少で日本人男性初のグランドチャンピオンとなる。2017年には第1回めざましクラシックス超絶技巧選手権にて口笛で出場し、巧みな技術と優れた音楽性を評価され優勝。オーケストラと共演したり、三味線とピアノとのユニット”AOI”を結成するなど、口笛の新しい可能性を幅広く追求している。

Blake Birmingham

Blake Birmingham is an American euphoniumist, Composer, and Educator.

Fortunate enough to study with two of his heroes; Blake earned his Masters and Bachelors Degrees in Euphonium Performance from the University of North Texas where he studied under Dr. David Childs, and Dr. Brian Bowman, respectively.

Blake has had a wide variety of success and experience in solo competitions. Most notably, Blake was awarded 1st prize in the 2018 Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Artist Competition.

Blake performs regularly as a member of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, as a featured guest soloist, and as a teacher/clinician. A few highlights include guest artist appearances at Stephen F. Austin St. University, Texas Womans University, Oklahoma City University, Missouri St. University, The Litha Symphony Orchestra, OkMEA, Musical for All National Concert Band Festival, and the United States Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Workshop and more.

He currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Low Brass at East Central University in Ada Oklahoma, and resides in the Dallas Fort/Worth metroplex, where he maintains a large private studio.

Blake is the director of the North Texas Low Brass Camp, and is proud to be a Brass.Lab MOMO Artist.