This episode of the Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by The Colburn LA Brass Institute. Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Sasha Romero, principal trombone of the MET in New York.

About Sasha:

Sasha Romero was appointed principal trombone of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 2018. Prior to her appointment at The MET, she held the position of principal trombone with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra from 2016-2018.

Hailing from Longview, Texas, Sasha grew up within the acclaimed and robust Texas band system and achieved great musical success at a young age. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Music degree at Baylor University, where she studied with Brent Phillips; and her Master of Music degree at Rice University, studying with Allen Barnhill.

In addition to a lengthy list of national and international solo and chamber music competition wins to her name, Sasha is honored to have been a semi-finalist in the first Brass Division of the 2019 XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Sasha is a passionate educator, and currently serves on the trombone faculties at Rutgers University, Mannes School of Music, and Bard College Conservatory of Music. A highly sought-after teacher, soloist, and clinician, she has presented solo recitals and masterclasses at numerous colleges, universities, music conservatories, and industry conventions across the United States.

When she is not at The MET, teaching, or screaming into the night at the shortcomings of NYC's public transportation system (looking at you, weekend subway service), Sasha is occasionally invited to perform as a guest trombonist with the world's major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony, Houston Symphony, and others. She can be heard on Weezer's OK Human album, as well as the film soundtracks to The Good Liar (2019) and Joker (2019).

Sasha currently makes her home in New York City, where she spends an embarrassing amount of time catering to the demands of her absurdly adorable cats and searching endlessly for decent Mexican food.

Sasha Romero is an S.E. Shires Performing Artist and she has a signature mouthpiece line with Long Island Brass Co.

The Trombone Corner – 2025 Holiday Episode

Cohosts Noah Gladstone and John Snell post up by the fireplace with eggnog and a tradition that's equal parts heartfelt and mechanically questionable: Noah lights his custom Trombonorah—a menorah built from a trombone bell, with a few trumpet valves thrown in for reasons that will make sense to exactly no one.

From there, it's a holiday-themed conversation that bounces between trombone life, seasonal rituals, gear talk, and the usual detours you'd expect when brass players are left unsupervised.

And yes, we brought in reinforcements: Jay Friedman (retired Principal Trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and jazz great Michael Dease join the festivities, adding equal parts wisdom, stories, and top-tier trombone perspective.

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark. Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Steve Suminski, Los Angeles and Bay Area studio musician and freelancer.

About Steve:

Steven Suminski is an active freelance and studio trombonist in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Areas. He currently serves as Guest Principal Trombone with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and holds posts as Principal Trombone with Symphony San Jose, Opera Santa Barbara and the Riverside County Philharmonic.

Steven has appeared with many premier ensembles in the area, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Long Beach Symphony and Los Angeles Master Chorale.

As a studio musician he has recorded for film and television projects working with composers such as John Williams, Christophe Beck, Michael Giacchino, James Newton Howard, Ludwig Göransson and countless others.

Passionate about chamber music and performing new works, he is a member of the acclaimed Modern Brass Quintet and is a founding member of the award winning group Brass Pacifica, currently working for the educational division of the Music Center of Los Angeles.

Steven began playing trombone at the age of nine, eventually moving to Los Angeles to study music performance at the University of Southern California. Currently he lives in the Los Angeles area and maintains an active teaching studio at Riverside City College.