He holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts and Teaching degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He is a former member of The New World Symphony, under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. Dr. Powell has also performed with the Louisville Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Florida Philharmonic, and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Powell has received recognition in several solo competitions, including winning the Aspen Music Festival Double Bass Solo Competition.