Velvet Brown

Velvet Brown is a full-time faculty member and the David P. Stone Chair in the School of Music at Penn State's College of Arts and Architecture. She serves as associate director for equity, diversity, and inclusion, and was named the 2022-23 Penn State Laureate. As Laureate, she focuses on amplifying the University’s artistic and educational outreach through performances integrating the African Diaspora, including concerts, recitals, workshops, and lectures.

Brown is an internationally renowned tubist, composer, and educator with extensive performance experience across Europe, the U.S., and beyond. She leads ensembles like the Stiletto Brass Quintet, Monarch Brass Quintet, and co-founded MOJATUBA: Tuba and Dance Fusion Project. Her roles include principal tubist of the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra and artistic director of the Chromatic Brass Collective.

Her awards include the David P. Stone Chair and her leadership in organizations like the International Women’s Brass Conference. Brown aims to foster community connectivity through diverse musical collaborations, emphasizing African American music and educational outreach.