Biography
An emerging tuba artist and educator, Blake Lile is the Adjunct Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at The University of Texas at Tyler and the Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Collin College. Before the University of Texas at Tyler, Blake held positions at the University of North Texas, Oklahoma State University, East Central University, and Langston University.
As an active performer, Blake has performed with several different orchestras within Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, such as the Fort Smith Symphony, the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lawton Philharmonic, and the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.
As an advocate for chamber music, Blake Lile and Abby Ward formed a professional tuba and trumpet duo called Duo Flora. Duo Flora aims to promote and expand the repertoire of this ensemble through new commissions and recitals. Duo Flora has finished a commission with composer Evan Zegiel for a new work for tuba, trumpet, and heavy metal accompaniment called Tapestry, which was premiered in March 2025. He also performs with the University of Texas at Tyler’s Faculty Brass Quintet.
Blake has found success in several different international competitions, being named a semifinalist for the Leonard Falcone International Tuba Solo Artist competition in 2023, the International Tuba Euphonium Conferences Artist Tuba Solo competition, Arnold Jacobs Mock Orchestra competition, Mock Band competition, Chamber Music competition in 2023, and placing Third Place in the Tuba Solo Competition Category 2 at the International Women’s Brass Conference in 2022. In 2024, Blake was named a finalist for the University of North Texas's William Gammon Henry Concerto Competition. Blake was named a finalist in several International Tuba Euphonium Association Regional competitions, such as the Tuba Solo Artist, Mock Orchestra, Chamber Music, and Young Tuba Solo Artist competitions.
Blake is finishing up his Doctoral degree at the University of North Texas in Tuba Performance. At the University of North Texas, He was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Center Brass Quintet and a Graduate Teaching Fellow for the tuba studio. He received his master's in Tuba Performance at Oklahoma State University as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the tuba and euphonium studio. He received his Bachelor's degree in Tuba Performance from Murray State University. His primary teachers are Professor Don Little, Professor Matt Good, Dr. Ryan Robinson, and Dr. Todd French.
Blake perfroms on an Adams Custom F tuba and an Eastman 836 CC tuba.