I recently had an amazing experience hiking around Mont Blanc. Despite having undergone nine foot surgeries, the last one in late April, I managed to hike, I think, between 80 to 100 miles over 10 days. Hearing my kids complain and cry during the hike, but loving it at the end, was great to watch.…

A Texas native with international roots, Nathaniel Mayfield has shared his passion and love of the modern and baroque trumpet with audiences across the world. Honored as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts by President Clinton and the NFAA, a Fulbright Scholar to Germany, a Beebe and Rapaport Fellow, as well as winner of numerous…

Reflecting on my future plans and aspirations, especially in the context of my recent experiences, I realize I still need about another six months to fully process and integrate these insights before I can confidently embark on this new path. I’ve come to understand that music, like love and joy, is meant to be shared.…

I’d like to delve deeper into my experience with iboga, a journey that was both enlightening and transformative. Our group at the retreat was diverse, consisting of four individuals, including a chaplain and a man grappling with heavy addictions for three decades. Another notable participant worked at MAPS, a renowned psychedelic organization, and was well-versed…

My life, especially in the realm of trumpet playing, was once defined by high stakes and intense competition. Reflecting back, I wonder whether this pressure was self-imposed or an inherent part of the cutthroat musical world. I vividly recall the fierce competition at Juilliard auditions, where hundreds vied for just a couple of spots. This…

Recently, I embarked on an extraordinary journey, one that led me far beyond the confines of conventional experiences. In a quest for deeper understanding and clarity about the subtle instincts guiding my life, I found myself at a psychedelic retreat in Tijuana, Mexico. This was a leap into the unknown, especially for someone like me…

As I sit here reflecting on the past decade, a journey that took me far from my first love – the trumpet – I can’t help but marvel at the winding path life has taken me on. My story, like many, is one of exploration, of stepping away from a familiar passion to venture into…

I’ve always had a deep love for music, inherited perhaps from my mother, a wonderful singer with a stunning alto voice. However, my own musical journey didn’t truly begin until I was in sixth grade, when I discovered the trumpet. It was a choice between the trumpet and saxophone, and I chose the trumpet, influenced…

I have always seen the trumpet as more than just an instrument. It’s a unique journey, one that I’ve approached from numerous perspectives over the years. As I’ve matured, I’ve come to realize that playing the trumpet is deeply spiritual, intricately connected to the essence of who I am and my purpose in life. This…