Greg Spence · Mystery To Mastery
A Life On Stage.
A Better Way To Learn.
From Carnegie Hall to live television, Greg Spence has spent his career making music under pressure. Today, that experience powers a different kind of brass education.
Meet the player, teacher and endlessly curious problem solver behind WindWorks Trumpet Academy.
The Person Behind The Playing
He Knows What It Feels Like To Work Too Hard.
Greg’s story began in a country brass band, with a cornet and a growing fascination with what great players could do. He went on to study at the Victorian College of the Arts and build a professional life spanning big bands, theatre pits, recording sessions, orchestras and television.
He also knew the frustration of making music that sounded convincing while the physical process felt harder than it should. In 1994, a lesson with Bobby Shew prompted questions that would shape decades of exploration: what makes playing efficient, how do habits form, and how can a player learn a different response?
Those questions became The Only No-Mystery Guide To Trumpet Mastery in 2004, followed by further teaching resources and the launch of WindWorks in 2018. The work continues through lessons, demonstrations, conversations and the discoveries students make in their own playing.
The WindWorks Approach
Understand It. Experience It. Make It Yours.
Greg brings the curiosity of a performer to the process of learning. WindWorks uses practical demonstrations and memorable ideas to help players recognise unnecessary effort, explore a different feeling and develop it into a dependable skill.
01 · Knowledge
See The Possibility.
Understand the idea clearly enough to picture what you are exploring and why it matters.
02 · Integration
Discover The Feeling.
Use simple experiences to recognise the difference between a familiar habit and a more efficient response.
03 · Experience
Bring It Into Your Music.
Revisit the process, build familiarity and develop the freedom to give more attention to the music itself.
Across Stages, Studios And Classrooms
Explore Greg’s Experience.
Open a section to explore selected performance, recording and education credits. Each part of this career brings a different perspective to the way Greg teaches.
International Artists
- Annie Lennox
- Bobby Shew
- Brian McFadden
- Carrie Underwood
- Christina Perri
- Clay Jenkins
- Craig David
- Florence + The Machine
- Herbie Hancock
- Ingrid Jensen
- James Blunt
- Jennifer Hudson
- Jerry Lewis
- José Feliciano
- k.d. lang
- Katy Perry
- Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
- Michael Bublé
- Olly Murs
- Pixie Lott
- Ronan Keating
- Seal
- Shirley Bassey
- The Four Tops
- The Supremes
- The Temptations
- Wayne Bergeron
- Wayne Newton
- Westlife
- Wycliffe Gordon
- Wynter Gordon
Australian Artists & Ensembles
- Alex Lloyd
- Andrea Kirwin & The Yama-Nui Social Club
- Anthony Callea
- ATM15 Big Band
- Augie March
- B# Big Band
- Bitchy Boy
- Bob Valentine
- City Calm Down
- Craig Schneider
- Dana Gehrman
- Dannii Minogue
- Darren Hayes
- David Campbell
- Debra Byrne
- DJ Jorj
- Galina Zenin
- Gina G
- Guy Sebastian
- Hugh Jackman
- Hugh Sheridan
- Human Nature
- Jack Vidgen
- James Morrison
- Jessica Mauboy
- Jimmy Barnes
- Joe Camilleri
- Joe Chindamo
- John Farnham
- Kate Ceberano
- Los Cabrones
- Luke Howard
- Marcia Hines
- Mark Sholtez
- Mark Vincent
- Natalie Bassingthwaighte
- Nathaniel
- Noah Rosenbloom
- Old Man River
- Olivia Newton-John
- Reece Mastin
- Renée Geyer
- Rogue Traders
- Shannon Noll
- Silvie Paladino
- Stan Walker
- Stevie & The Sleepers
- The Black Sorrows
- The Cat Empire
- The Veronicas
- Tim Davies Big Band
- Tim Minchin
- Tina Arena
- Tripod
- Young Divas
Selected Recording Credits
- Dana Gehrman — Down In Hollywood
2023
Source ↗ - Andrea Kirwin & The Yama-Nui Social Club — BLOOM
2021
Source ↗ - ATM15 Big Band — New Works
2018
Source ↗ - The Black Sorrows — Faithful Satellite
2016
Source ↗ - Tim Davies Big Band — The Expensive Train Set
2016
Source ↗ - Luke Howard — Two Places
2016
Source ↗ - Noah Rosenbloom — Disinheritor
2016
Source ↗ - John Farnham & Olivia Newton-John — Two Strong Hearts: Live In Concert
2015
Source ↗ - City Calm Down — In A Restless House
2015
Source ↗ - Renée Geyer — Swing
2013
Source ↗ - The Black Sorrows — Crooked Little Thoughts
2012
Source ↗ - Various Artists — They Will Have Their Way: The Songs Of Tim & Neil Finn
2011
Source ↗ - Silvie Paladino — On My Own
2011
Source ↗ - John Farnham — Jack
2010
Source ↗ - Various Artists — He Will Have His Way: The Songs Of Tim & Neil Finn
2010
Source ↗ - Kate Ceberano — Merry Christmas
2009
Source ↗ - Augie March — Watch Me Disappear
2008
Source ↗ - Renée Geyer — Dedicated…
2007
Source ↗ - Human Nature — Get Ready
2007
Source ↗ - Marcia Hines — Life
2007
Source ↗ - David Campbell — The Swing Sessions 2
2007
Source ↗ - David Campbell — The Swing Sessions
2006
Source ↗ - Marcia Hines — Discothèque
2006
Source ↗ - Human Nature — Dancing In The Street (The Songs Of Motown II)
2006
Source ↗ - Various Artists — Jazz In Melbourne 3
2006
Source ↗ - Los Cabrones — Los Cabrones
2004
Source ↗ - Craig Schneider — Swing Still Works For Me
2004
Source ↗ - DJ Jorj — Till I See The Sun
2004
Source ↗ - Bitchy Boy — Time Thief
2003
Source ↗ - Various Artists — Wangaratta Live
2002
Source ↗ - Bob Valentine — Revenge Of The Big Band
2001
Source ↗ - B# Big Band — Bounce!
Date not listed
Source ↗ - Galina Zenin — Bonkers Beat Volume 2
Date not listed
Source ↗ - Old Man River — I Love You Sorry Please Forgive Me Thank You
Date not listed
Source ↗ - Various Artists — You Raise Me Up
Compilation
Source ↗ - Stevie & The Sleepers — Favourite Song
2020
Source ↗ - Stevie & The Sleepers — Rumbling
2020
Source ↗
Albums, live releases, compilations and individual tracks. Alternate formats are listed once. Compilation credits do not imply work with every featured artist.
Orchestras, Television & Theatre
- Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Lead trumpet and orchestral performance work.
Source ↗ - Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Lead trumpet and orchestral performance work.
Source ↗ - Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Lead trumpet and orchestral performance work.
Source ↗ - West Australian Symphony Orchestra
Lead trumpet and orchestral performance work.
Source ↗ - Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Lead trumpet and orchestral performance work.
Source ↗ - Adelaide Symphony Orchestra / Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall performance.
Source ↗ - Orchestra Victoria
Theatre performance.
Source ↗ - Dancing With The Stars Australia
Television and live broadcast performance.
Source ↗ - In Melbourne Tonight
Television and live broadcast performance.
Source ↗ - Logie Awards
Television and live broadcast performance.
Source ↗ - Hey Hey It’s Saturday
Television and live broadcast performance.
Source ↗ - It Takes Two
Television and live broadcast performance.
Source ↗ - Carols By Candlelight
Television and live broadcast performance.
Source ↗ - The Boy From Oz
Trumpet.
Source ↗ - Show Boat
Trumpet.
Source ↗ - Hello, Dolly!
2017; trumpet 1.
Source ↗ - West Side Story
Live orchestral presentation of the film.
Source ↗ - PIXAR In Concert
Orchestral presentation.
Source ↗ - Tim Minchin Vs The Orchestra
Orchestral presentation.
Source ↗ - Ministry Of Sound
Performance project association.
Source ↗
Also performed with the Jersey Boys cast on Dancing with the Stars.
Conferences, Festivals & Presentations
- International Trumpet Guild 50th Anniversary Conference
28 May 2026; Eastman School of Music, Kilbourn Hall, Rochester. Presentation with Julie Baxes.
Source ↗ - International Trumpet Guild European Regional Conference
5–7 September 2025, Varaždin, Croatia; Presentation with Julie Baxes.
Source ↗ - The Midwest Clinic
14 December 2016, Chicago; Mystery to Mastery: Dispelling Brass Playing Myths.
Source ↗ - Maryborough Music Conference
2013; clinic.
Source ↗ - Sounds Great / Victorian Music Educators Conference
2015; clinic.
Source ↗ - Queensland Music Education Conference
2025; two scheduled sessions on beliefs, learning and performance confidence.
Source ↗ - Melbourne International Festival Of Brass
Clinician and performer; date not listed.
Source ↗ - CQ Schools Jazz Festival
Performer and clinician at CQUniversity.
Source ↗ - Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Event
2015, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; lead trumpet in big band,
Source ↗ - Melbourne International Jazz Festival
2016; Los Cabrones-related quartet performance.
Source ↗ - WOMADelaide
2004; Performance with Los Cabrones.
Source ↗
Universities, Conservatoires & Music Schools
- University Of Melbourne / Victorian College Of The Arts
Teaching documented in the 2016 Midwest Clinic biography.
Source ↗ - Eastman School Of Music, University Of Rochester
2026 ITG presentation at Kilbourn Hall.
Source ↗ - Baylor University
2015 tour presentation.
Source ↗ - University Of North Texas
2015 tour presentation.
Source ↗ - West Texas A&M University
2015 tour presentation.
Source ↗ - Sam Houston State University
2015 Caruso-event big-band performance.
Source ↗ - Central Queensland Conservatorium Of Music, CQUniversity
CQ Schools Jazz Festival performer/clinician.
Source ↗ - Centre For Musical Arts, Dubai
Visiting trumpet masterclass artist.
Source ↗
International Clinics & Education Outreach
- SiBRASS, Slovenia
11–12 June 2015 seminar.
Source ↗ - Long & McQuade Bloor, Toronto
21 May 2026 masterclass listing.
Source ↗ - Aussie Trumpet Muster
28 June 2014 workshop.
Source ↗ - Shrewd Brass / Musica Viva In Schools
Schools performance and education programme.
Source ↗ - Amanaska / Musica Viva In Schools
Schools performance and education programme.
Source ↗
Coaching Connections
Greg has coached individual players and educators associated with these organisations. These are individual coaching relationships, rather than institutional appointments or endorsements.
- Royal College Of Music, London
- University Of Ljubljana
- Berlin Symphony Orchestra
- RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Dublin
- Copenhagen Philharmonic
- New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Advertising & Broadcast
- Boag’s
- Cadbury
- Ford
- Panasonic
- Telstra
Performance and recording credits span different projects and periods. Teaching engagements and individual coaching relationships are identified separately.
The Curiosity Has Always Been There
Meet Greg In Action.
Watch this archive introduction from 2011 for a glimpse of the enthusiasm behind Mystery to Mastery. Then explore the newer Eastman presentation to see how the ideas have continued to develop.
Archive video: course details and offers mentioned in older recordings may have changed.
Explore The ITG 2026 Masterclass →One Curiosity. Different Ways To Help.
WindWorks Trumpet Academy
A guided learning journey for brass players exploring efficiency, consistency and performance confidence. Begin with the 10-Step Tune-Up, then continue developing your understanding through the course and community.
Explore Your Playing →With Julie Baxes
Fubrian
Greg and Julie’s work with musicians facing playing difficulties grew into Fubrian. It offers education and individual coaching around learning, coordination and performance confidence, including support for musicians affected by focal dystonia.
Explore Fubrian ↗Your Playing. Your Next Discovery.
Let’s Find Out What’s Possible.
Bring your questions, your frustrations and your musical ambitions. The 10-Step Tune-Up is a practical place to begin discovering what playing with greater ease could feel like for you.
