eGALitarian Brass is comprised of New York City's top brass players. Our roster includes:
Kate Amrine, Trumpet
Pronouns: she/her
A passionate and creative performer, Kate Amrine is a prominent trumpet player balancing a multifaceted career from developing new repertoire and curating concerts to freelancing with many different groups in the New York City area. Kate frequently alternates between the musical theater world and the contemporary classical/new music worlds. Some favorite recent experiences include being the lead trumpet player in all-women bands New Heights Brass Band and TOP Queens and performing with classical groups including the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, Kings County Brass, eGALitarian, and Spark Duo. Kate is also very dedicated to commissioning and performing new music, premiering over 30 pieces both as a soloist and a chamber musician. In addition to performing, Kate maintains her own private trumpet studio and is an Adjunct Instructor at New York University. Find out more about Kate on social media @katetrumpet or on her website: www.kateamrine.com
Lindsay Ross, Trumpet
Pronouns: she/her
Lindsay Ross first picked up the trumpet at the age of 11 in sixth grade. Born and raised in Southern California, she is a graduate of San Diego State University (BM Music Education ’19) where she studied trumpet with John MacFerran Wilds. She has resided in New York City since 2021 and in 2023 graduated with a master’s degree in Classical Trumpet at Manhattan School of Music, studying with David Krauss. She is currently a DMA student at MSM.
A founding member of Oculus Brass Quintet and Alphabet Brass Trio, Ross has been a regular member of eGALitarian Brass since 2023, and has performed with Calliope Brass, New Heights Brass Band, The Villagers Brass Band, as well as Protestra and New Camerata Opera. Ross has also played trumpet for multiple Kidz Theater productions. Ross is a trumpet instructor at Horace Mann School in Riverdale, Bronx. She is a freelancer throughout the city.
Jasmine Lavariega, Horn
Pronouns: she/her
A native of New York, Jasmine Lavariega’s curiosity in music was sparked from an early age. Now, as a freelancer in the New York Metropolitan area, she has performed with numerous ensembles including The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, The New Jersey Festival Orchestra, and Ensemble 212. In 2019, Ms. Lavariega joined the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra in Japan and served as their principal horn for three years. During her time there, she performed with The Osaka Philharmonic and The Japan Century Orchestra. She also served as principal horn of L’Orchestre de la Francophonie in their 2018 Summer Season. During her studies, Jasmine Lavariega has received numerous awards including the Vicki Cowen Scholarship and the Ruth and Alan Broder Scholarship. She holds a Bachelors of Music in Horn Performance from The Juilliard School, under the tutelage of Erik Ralske. While not performing, she enjoys cooking at home and cat-sitting in her neighborhood.
Pronouns: she/her
Hanan Rahman, Horn
Hanan Rahman is a freelance horn player based in New York City. She frequently performs with the New Haven Symphony, Greenwich Symphony, Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and many other orchestras throughout the northeast, including the Cape, Allentown, Ridgefield and New Bedford Symphony Orchestras. Other recent engagements include the premiere of the opera ICELAND at La Mama Experimental Theatre Club, a Carnegie Hall subscription concert featuring Audra McDonald, and the world premiere of the musical Other World at the Delaware Theatre Company. Passionate about contemporary music, she has held fellowships at several new music festivals including Lucerne Festival, Spoleto Festival, Grafenegg Festival, and Mostly Modern Festival.
Her teachers include Frøydis Ree Wekre, Michelle Baker, Bernhard Scully, and Eric Ruske. Ms. Rahman received a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance and B.A. in Mathematics and Computer Science at Boston University, and had further studies at the Manhattan School of Music and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Alina Eckersley, Horn
Pronouns: she/her
Alina Eckersley is a versatile freelance French horn player based in New York City, celebrated for her rich background in diverse musical styles. She has performed with esteemed ensembles such as City Lyric Opera, Regina Opera, The Broadway Sinfonietta, and the Washington Square Music Festival. Some highlights of her career include participating in the experimental theatre production The Lydian Gale Parr and performing live for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Avatar: The Last Airbender in concert. Alina recently served as a horn sub for the Broadway production of Sondheim’s No Old Friends.
Originally from Las Vegas, Alina has collaborated with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Nevada Ballet Theatre, and the Las Vegas Opera Company. She holds degrees from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Brigham Young University, and a DMA from the Manhattan School of Music, studying under David Jolley.
Sasha Romero, Trombone
Pronouns: she/her
Sasha Romero is the principal trombonist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, one of the busiest and most prolific orchestras in the world. She teaches at the Manhattan School of Music, Bard College, and Mannes School of Music, as well as privately. A well sought-after musician, Sasha travels nationally and internationally as a solo artist, presenter, and teacher. Her arrangements and compositions have received acclaim from the brass world (and looks of despondence from the musicians who have to play her often difficult parts), and she continues to grow her portfolio with commissions. Sasha lives with her wife Jen Hinkle, her wife’s service dog Kita, and their four cats.
Nikki Abissi, Trombone
Pronouns: she/her
Nikki Abissi is a professional trombonist and teacher living in northern New Jersey with her family. She is Second Trombonist of the historic American Symphony Orchestra and founding member of the New Alchemy Trombone Quartet. An active performer, she frequently plays with many of the country’s fine orchestras, in chamber recitals, as well as on Broadway and with the Radio City Orchestra. Nikki has held positions with The Alabama Symphony and Colorado Symphony, as well as a fellowship with the New World Symphony. Nikki received her Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School under the instruction of Joseph Alessi, Principal Trombonist of the New York Philharmonic. She received her Master of Music Degree from Stony Brook
University under the instruction of Michael Powell, Principal Trombonist of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and member of the world renowned American Brass Quintet. Nicole’s other teachers include Per Brevig, Warren Deck, Glenn Dodson, Ian Bousfield, and Thomas Riccobono.
A passionate teacher of all ages, Nikki has a private studio and presents masterclasses on trombone performance, creating a career in music, and entrepreneurship. Her young students have gone on to study at such schools as The Juilliard School, Northwestern University, ManhattanSchool of Music, and New England Conservatory. Older students now have their own exciting careers Nikki is also an inventor and entrepreneur. She has created a fully patented device for the trombone called Extendabone. Extendabone.com
Sarah Goldberg, Trombone
Pronouns: she/her
Sarah Goldberg is a Nepali-American trombonist currently based in New York City. Sarah started her music journey in Dallas, Texas and eventually moved to Interlochen, Michigan to study at the Interlochen Arts Academy to pursue her musical interests at a prominent level. Following her time in Michigan, she is now pursuing her bachelor’s degree in trombone performance at The Juilliard School as a scholarship student.
Along with regularly performing across esteemed venues in New York with various ensembles, Sarah has made appearances with the Juilliard Orchestra, Juilliard Trombone Choir, Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra, and is also an apprentice conductor for the New York Youth Symphony. Sarah recently placed as a finalist in the Lowell Chamber Orchestra International Concerto Competition in 2023 as well as the International Competition for Young Instrumentalists "Gran Premio Povoletto" in Udine, Italy in November 2022.
She is active on her instagram @sarahplaystrombone where she posts music related content and openly speaks on issues within the music community. Sarah is a performing artist for HAAG Brass established in Weinfelden, Switzerland.
Julie Zedeck, Trombone
Pronouns: they/them
Julie Zedeck is an up and coming freelance trombonist and low brass doubler based in NYC who is very passionate about music in our communities. Currently doubling on Trombone and Euphonium with the National Broadway Tour of Fiddler on the Roof, Julie has shared a voice in this timeless and important story in 25 different states across the US and parts of Canada. Proud to play with eGALitarian Brass, Julie truly enjoys being a part of bringing live music and representation of female and non-binary brass musicians to the people of NYC.
Julie earned their Bachelor of Music degree from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and is pursuing their Master of Music degree from the John J. Cali School of Music. Under the mentorship of great jazz and Broadway trombonists such as Jen Wharton, Mike Boschen, Jason Jackson, Tim Albright, Noreen Baer, and masterclass workshops with Wynton Marsalis and Joe Alessi, Julie has been lucky to receive versatile musical training from some of the top artists in NYC.
Jen Hinkle, Bass Trombone
Pronouns: she/they
Described by a colleague as “an industrial blender full of disco balls and lightning, wrapped in an evening gown,” bass trombonist and multi-genre low-brass specialist Jen Hinkle is a breath of fresh air and a spark of electricity in the music world. Their artistry, energy, and ingenuity are welcomed in all settings from orchestral stages and Broadway pits to nightclubs, classrooms, and churches.
Since arriving in New York from the West Coast, Jen’s artistic mastery, eccentric curiosity, and brilliant personality have made her one of the most sought-after commercial artists in the city.
Easily adaptable to a wide variety of musical styles, Jen has been engaged by a myriad of ensembles including: The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; Broadway shows including WICKED, ALADDIN, BEAUTIFUL, WARPAINT, MISS SAIGON, LES MISÉRABLES, THE LION KING, ON THE TOWN, KING KONG; The Afro-Bop Alliance Big Band; Monarch Brass; Ed Neumeister’s Assembláge Jazz Orchestra; Grammy-nominated artist Dan Pugach’s Nonet; the Oregon, Seattle, Spokane, New Jersey, and New Haven Symphonies; and countless chamber music ensembles and orchestras throughout the United States.
In addition to holding symphony orchestra and college teaching positions, Jen has participated in panel discussions and judged competitions for the International Trombone Festival and International Women’s Brass Conference. A passionate educator and performer, Jen often performs solo recitals and leads clinics, studio classes, and masterclasses at colleges, elementary and high schools, and industry symposiums across the country.
While music is Jen’s primary artistic focus, her creative capabilities, interests, and talents span a variety of subjects including visual art, literature, composition, animal training, public speaking, disability advocacy, and community engagement. Their many areas of interest have led to quite a diverse and interesting career, and Jen is passionate about lecturing on the importance of following your own path and finding your own unique niche in your career field.