Staff Sergeant Evan Sankey is a trombonist with the Band of the West. SSgt Sankey holds degrees in trombone performance from the University of North Texas and the University of Texas at Austin.

As a solo performer, SSgt. Sankey was named winner of the Big XII Yamaha Xeno Tenor Trombone competition, the University of North Texas Concerto Competition, and was named a finalist in the American Trombone Workshop’s National Solo Competition Division III as well as the Larry Wiehe International Trombone Competition. He has been a featured soloist with the San Jacinto College Central Brass Band, the Austin Symphonic Band, and the UNT Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, SSgt. Sankey has performed in many professional chamber and large ensembles including Prismatx (out of Austin, Texas), the award-winning University of Texas Trombone Choir, the Lone Star Brass Orchestra, the Lawton Symphony Orchestra, and the Round Rock Symphony Orchestra.

Prior to enlistment, SSgt. Sankey served as Assistant Professor of Low Brass at Texas Lutheran University and the graduate teaching assistant for the trombone studio at the University of Texas at Austin. Additional teaching duties included faculty positions with the Longhorn Music Camp and the Texas Lutheran University Summer Music Academy. Past teachers of Airman Sankey include Dr. Vern Kagarice, Jan Kagarice, Tony Baker, and Dr. Nathaniel Brickens.

EDUCATION:
2011 - Bachelor of Music Performance- University of North Texas
2013 - Master of Music- University of North Texas
2017 - Doctor of Musical Arts - The University of Texas at Austin                                                                                                                                                                          2022 - Airman Leadership School - S

ASSIGNMENTS:
March 2019 - 2022, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
October 2022 - Present, USAF Band of the West, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
National Defense Service Medal
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Air and Space Commendation Medal                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Air Force Good Conduct Medal

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Airman First Class - 8 March 2019
Senior Airman - 8 November 2020
Staff Sergeant - 1 July 2022