First Class Petty Officer Russell Sharp, USN
Trombonist, Naval Academy Band

Musician First Class Russell Sharp was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He holds a bachelor of music degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and a master's degree in trombone performance from Oklahoma City University's Wanda L. Bass School of Music. His primary teachers include Dr. Kent Kidwell, James Koon, Jeff Downey, Lee Rucker, and Eric Leonard. He has also studied with Dee Stewart, Chris Dudley, Roger Oyster, David Vining, Tim Higgins, and James Klages.

Prior to joining the Navy, Petty Officer Sharp was an active free-lance musician in Oklahoma, performing regularly with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, the Tulsa Ballet, the Tulsa Opera Orchestra, and the Baltimore Opera Company. Petty Officer Sharp was also principal trombonist with the Oklahoma City Community Orchestra, and was a member of the Edmond Jazz Orchestra, the Al Good Orchestra, the Floyd Hanes Orchestra, the Liberace Brass Quintet, the Blackwelder Brass Quintet, and the 2x2 Trombone Quartet. His awards include semi-finalist at the 2009 National Symphony Orchestra Principal Trombone Audition, finalist at the 2005 International Trombone Association (ITA) Trombone Quartet Competition, first alternate at the 2005 Zellmer-Minnesota Trombone Competition, and he was the IAJE Outstanding College Musician in 2005 and 2007.

Petty Officer Sharp enlisted in the Navy in June 2007 and reported for duty with the U.S. Naval Academy Band in August of that year. He currently serves as a member of the Concert Band, Next Wave jazz ensemble, brass quintet, and trombone quartet, as well as marching and ceremonial units.

His military awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.

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