Jazz trombonist and MSU professor Michael Dease.
Michael Dease, professor of jazz trombone in the Michigan State University College of Music, has been named a Guggenheim Fellow in the 100th anniversary class of the prestigious fellowship. Dease, named an MSU Red Cedar Distinguished Professor in May, is one of 198 individuals selected from nearly 3,500 applicants, recognized for his prior achievements and exceptional promise.
The Guggenheim Fellowship, established in 1925, is one of the most prestigious awards available to artists, scholars and scientists. Recipients receive monetary stipends to pursue independent work, and because these stipends are awarded under the freest possible conditions, more than 19,000 fellows in total have been able to make significant contributions to their fields over the past century.
“Michael Dease is a standout in his field, and this recognition from the Guggenheim Foundation shows that Michigan State is a place where exceptional talent and hard work can thrive,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz. “He’s not only an incredible musician but also a creative thinker whose work bridges disciplines and sheds light on meaningful issues in our world.”
Dease’s upcoming project, titled “MacNolia,” is an extended-length album of original music scored for jazz chamber orchestra. He has composed five of a planned 28 pieces for the album and plans to complete writing this fall with recording slated for spring 2026. Inspired by the life of MacNolia Cox, the first Black American to finish in the top five of the National Spelling Bee, the music will feature thematic works based on poems by award-winning writer A. Van Jordan.