Philip Bessette was born and raised in Crown Point, Indiana and started playing the tuba at age 10, and trombone at age 11. At Crown Point High School, he participated in band, orchestra, and jazz band. He also performed with the Northwest Indiana Youth Orchestra, the Merit School of Music in Chicago, and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Phil graduated from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in tuba performance in 2012.
During his career he has studied with such greats as Dan Perantoni, Jay Gephart, Gene Pokorny, Alan Baer, Kathy Brantigan, Warren Deck, Bob Tucci, and John Rojak.
Phil has played with the American Brass Quintet, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Third Street Brass quintet, the Tom Milo Big Band, and the Laporte County Symphony Orchestra.
Currently, Phil is a freelance musician in the northwest Indiana and Chicago areas and plays with the Midwest Big Band, Tonal Attitude, Gargoyle Brass Quintet, various theater groups, and the Laporte City Band.