Eric Starr maintains a multi-faceted musical career as a faculty member at SDSU, Trombonist for Westwind Brass, and as an active performer. A faculty member at SDSU since 2012, Dr. Starr serves as Studio Artist Teacher of Trombone and Euphonium, Director the Brass Chamber Music program, co-director of the Experimental Music Ensemble, Brass Coordinator, Program Advisor for the Music, Entrepreneurship and Business degree, and Head Coach for SDSU Cycling. He was named “Most Influential Faculty” in 2025, 2023 and 2018. 

Dubbed a “Trombone Champion” with “Stunning Style” (San Diego Union-Tribune), Dr. Starr has performed as a soloist at major venues including Copley Symphony Hall, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, the San Diego Museum of Art, the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, and others. As an ensemble player, he is a member of Westwind Brass and has performed with the Pacific Symphony, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera, La Jolla Music Society, SD Winds, and Broadway shows including Frozen and Mary Poppins.

A passionate advocate for contemporary music, as a musical entrepreneur, Eric is a board member for The Music Company, the Hausmann Quartet Foundation and San Diego New Music. With Art of Elan, he is Creative Director of Sounds and Swells, a curated pairing of surfing videos and live music and has developed Tasting Notes, fusing classical music and wine, and can be heard on Dreams and Visions, volume 1.

Eric earned a B.M. from the University of Southern California, an M.M. and A.D. from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a D.M.A. from Stony Brook University with additional studies at the Aspen Music Festival and Tanglewood Music Center. He lives in Ocean Beach with his oboist wife where he watches the waves daily, has continued interests in fine wines, cooking, summertime body surfing and is a member of the San Diego Bicycle Club race team.