Official Biography

A native of the Hudson Valley, Layne Sullivan is a versatile musician whose career spans orchestral and wind band performances, jazz, and commercial studio work. Classically trained on the trumpet since the age of nine, he has broadened his musical skills to include piano, organ, guitar, electric bass, and saxophone, reflecting his belief in the adaptability essential for a well-rounded musician.

As an educator, Layne is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment, tailoring his approach to meet the unique needs of each student. He views music as a transformative tool for self-expression, enjoyment, and connection, believing in its power to reveal the truest version of oneself. His passion for teaching took root during his time on staff at a Boy Scout camp, where he first discovered his joy for teaching.

A seasoned performer, Layne remains active in the music scene, having premiered numerous student works and performed in a variety of ensembles throughout his collegiate years, including symphony orchestras, wind ensembles, brass ensembles, and brass quintets. He has also served as a student apprentice with the Orchestra of Northern New York on two occasions. His catalog of orchestrations, arrangements, and original compositions is available for purchase. He performs on a Bach Stradivarius B-flat trumpet, an S.E. Shires Q13S C trumpet, and a custom mouthpiece made by master maker Greg Black.

Layne received a Masters in Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelors' in Music Education and Performance from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. He has had the privilege of studying under esteemed mentors such as Brianne Borden, Andrew McCandless, Wes Nance, and Peter Bellino.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Layne enjoys cooking, reading, watching Family Guy, collecting vinyl records, and spending quality time with his fiancée, Ainsley and their cat, Mort. He is a certified aquatics instructor through the Boy Scouts of America and has taught/trained on the subject for 10 years. His musical influences include Elton John, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, Phil Smith, Leonard Bernstein and Gustav Mahler.