Daphna Schmidt is a freelance trumpet player and teacher in New York City. A native of Philadelphia, Daphna graduated from Susquehanna University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance – classical and jazz. She also holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a Music Education Certificate. She is currently the General Music teacher for grades K-5 at Linden Tree Elementary School in Bronx, New York.

Daphna has studied and participated in jazz bands under the direction of renowned saxophonist/composer and arranger, Andrew Neu. She has performed with and studied jazz improvisation with the great bassist Joshua Davis. Through Mr. Davis’ collaboration with other jazz giants, Daphna participated in master classes and played sessions with guitarist Tim Miller and vocalist JD Walter. She has also performed at the well-known Philadelphia jazz venue, The Clef Club, alongside Henry Laws and his band, the Cycle of Fifths. Additionally, she performed with the Delaware Spartan Jazz Band. She was also selected to be a member of the EBE Entertainment group, which provides music performances for various events in the Delaware Valley area. Daphna was a member of the Ottone Trio (Trumpet/Horn/Trombone) and performed with them in the Philadelphia region.
During her high school years she was a member of the renowned Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) and was the lead trumpet in many of the performing groups here at New England Music Camp while she was a camper. Later she was the winner of the Concerto Competition at Susquehanna University which led to her solo performance with the university's symphony orchestra. As a college graduate she took part in the Temple University Night Owls Orchestra and the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia.
In addition to her work with children during the school year, Daphna spends her summers teaching trumpet and assisting the jazz groups at New England Music Camp. She grew up at NEMC as a faculty child and later became a camper and counselor. She is very much looking forward to spending another summer at the greatest place on earth.