"Kyle began his trombone studies, as many young students, in the sixth grade in Indianapolis, IN, and after moving to Lafayette, IN before high school, he began studying privately with Jim Hopkins. After graduation and acceptance to Ball State University, Kyle was under the tutelage of Dr. John Seidel. Kyle was a member of the Studio Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and the Wind Ensemble while at Ball State. He also participated with the University Singers as the trombonist and occasionally a singer on their 15-day tour of China in the summer of 2005. During his years at Ball State, he also studied with Christopher Woody, Adam Johnson, and Will Frazier.

Prior to receiving his Bachelor’s degree, Kyle auditioned for the United States Marine Corps. He was accepted to enlist, and after completing his BA, he was shipped to recruit training in San Diego, CA. After recruit training he traveled to Camp Pendleton, CA for combat training, which consists of one month of weapons, hand to hand, and general combat training. Kyle then left the west coast for Little Creek, VA and the Armed Forces School of Music. There he studied applied trombone skills with SFC Steven Adrian. Kyle was appointed the Guide of the Marine Detachment at the school, or the liaison between the command element and the student platoon, which consisted of between 20-75 Marines at any given time. While at the Armed Forces School of Music he was also awarded Student of the Month along with graduating with a “Superior” rating after finishing his playing assessments. Kyle was then relocated to San Diego, CA where he continued his superior playing and was selected to the premiere brass quintet of Marine Band San Diego. The brass quintet traveled to different states throughout the Western Recruiting Region where they performed standard and contemporary works for brass quintet, presented master classes, and were called on to recruit new musicians for the Marine Corps. While in San Diego, Kyle also studied privately with Principal Tro" less...