Ugo Nwakanma

Biography

Ugo Nwakanma is a 15-year-old 10th grader at Manchester High School and plays trombone. He started playing when he was ten in sixth grade, and he entered the TDP program in 2022. He is currently under the instruction of principal trombonist at the ASO, Nathan Zgonc. This summer, Ugo attended the South Fulton Jazz camp with clinician Ron Carter. He is currently apart of the Jazz band, marching band, and wind ensemble at Cambridge High School. Ugo has taken part in the Omega Psi Phi Talent hunt and the reflections competition in composition. He has gotten into Fulton County honor band 2 years in a row, making second chair last year, and first chair this year. He has made D5 honor band 3 years in a row and has been first chair for those years. He has also made Allstate band 3 years in a row. He made second chair in concert band twice, and this year has made second chair in the Full orchestra. He has been nominated for GHP and has so far made it as a state level nominee. At the Essentially Ellington jazz competition, Ugo received an outstanding soloist award. Additionally, Ugo enjoys composing for concert band, and enjoys bike riding. After graduation from TDP, Ugo would like to go to Julliard and study trombone performance and become a trombonist for the ASO.

Fun Fact: The best thing about the trombone has to be the versatility and power it possesses. You can play so many different types of music and you play really low and high. One amazing experience was the TDP musicale. The level of musicianship and passion I saw was amazing and undoubtedly inspired me as a musician.