Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble

Anthony Stoops is a well known teacher, soloist, and chamber musician performing on the Double Bass. A prize-winner in numerous competitions such as the International Society of Bassists International Competition, American String Teachers Association and the Karr Foundation, he is in demand as a clinician and recitalist having presented concerts and masterclasses throughout the world at venues such as the Paris Conservatory, the University of Wroclaw, Poland, the University of Michigan, and the Cleveland Institute of Music among many others. 

An advocate for new music, Stoops has premiered numerous works by several emerging composers and his CD Insights: New Music for Double Bass on Albany Records focuses on some of his more recent collaborations. His compositions, arrangements and transcriptions are played around the world by renowned soloists and students alike. He is published by Ovation Press which continues to release several of his editions compositions, arrangements and transcribed editions.  Additionally, Stoops is also a founding member of the celebrated Bad Boyz of Double Bass Quartet, with whom he has performed worldwide. He has also arranged prolifically for them. 

As Professor of Double Bass at the University of Oklahoma School of Music, Stoops is in demand for his Master Classes and Clinics. He has presented at several music conferences such as the American String Teachers Association National Conference, Suzuki Association of the Americas Conference, Oklahoma Music Educator's Association, Texas Music Educator's Association and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic as well as Master Classes at several universities and conservatories. His prior teaching appointments include Bowling Green State University, the Ann Arbor School for Performing Arts, the Preucil School of Music and summer appointments at Red Lodge Music Festival, Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain and the Michigan All-State Program at Interlochen.

Currently serving as Principal Bass of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Stoops has performed in over a dozen other orchestras including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus (OH) and Toledo Symphony orchestras, as well as the Michigan Opera Theater Orchestra and many others. Dr. Stoops holds degrees from the University of Iowa and the University of Michigan. He performs exclusively on a custom double bass (opus 12)  with a high C string and low B extension made for him by American luthier Aaron Reiley. He lives in Norman with his wife, Emily and their two children.