Spotlight | Principal Trombone

Evelyn Carlson

Born in Staten Island, New York, Evelyn Carlson never expected to become a midwestern woman. In 2023, she was hired as the Principal Trombonist of the Kansas City Symphony under Music Director Michael Stern.  Evelyn is honored to be a leader within an incredibly talented brass section where she feels her voice is valued and respected.

Evelyn has recently appeared as guest principal trombonist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and played bass trumpet on The Ring Without Words with the Lakes Area Festival Orchestra.

Prior to her tenure at the Kansas City Symphony, Evelyn served for three seasons as the Assistant Principal Trombonist of the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.

Evelyn began her music degree at Montclair State University, studying under Colin Williams and Nikki Abissi. In 2016 she transferred to The Juilliard School to study with her longtime idol Joseph Alessi, where she thrived in the competitive environment.

In 2018, Evelyn won first prize in the S.E. Shires Orchestral Excerpt Competition at the Southeast Trombone Symposium. The same year, she won first prize in the National Solo Competition for Division 2 at the American Trombone Workshop. In 2019, Evelyn won the first prize in the Duo Competition at the Music Academy of the West.

In 2024, Evelyn was a featured artist at the International Trombone Festival in Fort Worth, Texas where she presented a diverse recital featuring pieces for tenor trombone, alto trombone, and bass trumpet. She was also featured as a soloist with the International Women’s Trombone Choir.

In her spare time, Evelyn enjoys feeding her curiosity for other music genres, especially jazz, funk, and folk. She thanks her devoted parents for their support as she chased her musical aspirations.