Alto & Tenor Trombone
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 the Wanda L. Bass School of Music. His primary teachers include Dr. Kent Kidwell, James Koon, Jeff Downey, and Lee Rucker. He has also studied with Dee Stewart, Chris Dudley, Tim Higgins, Craig Mulcahy, and Lee Rogers.
Prior to joining the Navy, MU1 Sharp was an active free-lance musician in Oklahoma, performing regularly with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, the Tulsa Ballet, and the Tulsa Opera Orchestra. While in Oklahoma, he also worked as a studio musician in the Dallas Fort Worth area. His awards include winner of the 2010 National Solo Competition at the Eastern Trombone Workshop hosted by the U.S. Army Band Washington DC, semi-finalist at the 2009 New York Philharmonic Associate Principal Trombone Audition, 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.
In 2007, MU1 Sharp auditioned and was selected for assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy Band. Following recruit training at RTC, Great Lakes, he reported for duty as a trombonist with the wind ensemble, marching band, jazz ensemble, brass quintet, brass ensemble, trombone quartet, and ceremonial units. He has been a featured soloist with both the wind ensemble and jazz ensemble, and serves as Leading Petty Officer of the "Blue" Brass Quintet, lead trombonist in the jazz ensemble, and principal trombonist of the wind ensemble.
MU1 Sharp has been awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.