ESTHER ARMENDARIZ | TROMBONE

PRINCIPAL, SANTA CRUZ SYMPHONY

Esther Armendariz is a freelance trombonist and California native based in Oakland, CA. She is principal trombonist with the Santa Cruz Symphony, 2nd trombonist with Symphony Silicon Valley and 2nd trombonist with the Stockton Symphony. Esther frequently performs with other orchestras throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, having played with Monterey Symphony, Modesto Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, SF Ballet, SF Opera Orchestra and many others.

In 2016, Esther finished a temporary one-year position as associate principal/2nd trombone with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and while living in Denver performed with the Denver Brass and Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Her work in orchestras has also taken her abroad to Guadalajara, Mexico, where she has played with the Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco. With the OFJ, Esther played on an all-Wagner recording featuring soprano Amber Wagner.

Esther is a founding member of Brass Over Bridges, a brass chamber ensemble that performs recitals in both traditional and unconventional settings and is passionate about serving schools through educational performances and masterclasses. Outside of a career in performance, Esther also teaches through San Francisco Symphony's "Music and Mentors" and her private studio. Many of Esther's past students have been accepted to California All-State Honor Bands and prestigious music programs like Interlochen Summer Music Academy, Northwestern and UCLA. She holds a master's degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and bachelor's degrees in trombone performance and public relations from the University of Southern California.