John Holt is principal trumpet of the Dallas Opera Orchestra and has performed and recorded with the Dallas Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, Dallas Opera Orchestra, and Voices of Change. He is Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of North Texas.

"He is a fine, expressive player with a pleasant tone quality, clean articulation, and excellent technical skills." Kilpatrick, American Record Guide

“Every item on John Holt’s new recording lives up to the title ‘Facets.’ The programme is diverse, ranging from Herbert Clarke trumpet bonbons and smashing arrangements of Duke Ellington tunes to more adventurous contemporary fare…Ronald Lo Presti’s Suite for Five Trumpets is a celebration of fanfares and interweaving lines, while Fisher Tull’s Canonical Trilogy for four trumpets manages to pack an enormous amount of interesting sounds into three movements. Another winner is James Wintle’s Three Studies for trumpet ensemble, whose audacious energy tests the virtuosity of its exultants (but they triumph)… Holt is an elegant, sensitive artist.” Gramophone, Awards issue 2004

“Holt is a fine, expressive player with a pleasant tone quality, clean articulation, and excellent technical skills…All [the works] are played with beautiful tone and blend by Holt and his Texas trumpet friends Rick Bogard, Keith Johnson, Adam Gordon, Bert Truax, and Jimmy Tullos.” American Record Guide, Nov/Dec 2004

“If you like trumpets, this is a civilized humdinger.” Fanfare, Nov/Dec 2004