Born and raised in Alaska, Linn Weeda received his bachelor's degree at the University of Alaska, where he had formative studies with James Kowalsky in trumpet and Gordon Wright in conducting. He earned his master's degree at Boston University, studied trumpet with Armando Ghitalla and Roger Voisin, won the concerto competition and was student of the year. Further studies after his Master's were with Julio Tancredi in trumpet, Larry Scripp in solfege, Charles Bruck in conducting at the Pierre Monteux School for Advanced Conductors, and with Gunther Schuller in conducting at the Schwietzer Institute.
Linn's professional career has been varied. As a freelance musician in Boston, he was a member of several orchestras on the East Coast and was heard nationally on NPR performing with the Smithsonian Chamber players on baroque trumpet. Linn has been a soloist in a variety of venues in New England, Mississippi, and Alaska. He appeared as soloist with the Arctic Chamber Orchestra on tour in Alaska and China, and performed as soloist with the Anchorage Festival and Anchorage Symphony. Recent performances include appearances with the Suwon Philharmonic in Korea, as well as recitals in New York, Washington and Anchorage. In March 2005 he performed the world premier of Louis Stewart's Trumpet Concerto commissioned for him by the ASO to enthusiastic audiences.
As a conductor, Linn has led orchestras on tour to a variety of locations in the United States, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. He has been music director and founder of Youth Orchestras throughout the country, and was staff conductor for the Greater Boston Youth Symphony. He has been an active guest conductor in a variety of venues. Currently, Linn is Assistant Music Director and Principal Trumpet of the Anchorage Symphony, Principal Trumpet of the Anchorage Opera and the Anchorage Festival, and is the Music Director of the Anchorage Youth Symphony. In addition to his many credits as a performer, Linn has taught a variety of musical subjects in a various settings – ranging from marching band in public schools to university courses. Currently, he teaches classes in ear training, solfege and trumpet at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Linn makes his home in Anchorage along with his wife, violinist and educator Mary Weeda.
