Biography
An emerging tuba artist and educator, Blake Lile is the Adjunct Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at The University of Texas at Tyler. Prior to the Univeristy of Texas at Tyler, Blake has held positions at 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. Currently, Duo Flora finsihed 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.
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 Womens 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 of the International Tuba Euphonium Association Regional competitions such as the Tuba Solo Artist competition, Mock Orchestra competition, Chamber Music competition, and the Young Tuba Solo Artist competition.
Currently, Blake is pursuing his Doctoral degree at the University of North Texas in Tuba Performance as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Center Brass Quintet. He received his Master's degree 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 at Murray State University. His primary teachers are Professor Don Little, Professor Matt Good, Dr. Ryan Robinson, and Dr. Todd French.
Blake plays on an Adams Custom F tuba and an Eastman 836 CC tuba.