MTJ is a resource for performers and educators that contains the history, unit missions, audition process, and standard excerpts for entrance into the U.S. military bands.
Ryan Brewer
MTJ Co-Founder Ryan Brewer is a native of North Richland Hills, Texas and has been a member of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C. since October 2020 where he performs with the Ceremonial Band and Herald Trumpets. From 2016 to 2020, Ryan served with The United States Army Field Band as co-principal trumpet and commercial/lead trumpet player of the Concert Band and Chamber Brass quintet.
Ryan received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. His principal teachers were Keith Johnson and Gary Wurtz with supplemental instruction by Chris Gekker, Mark Hughes, John Holt, and Adam Gordon.
Ryan lives in Virginia with his wife, Mandi and their rescue pup, Luna.
www.ryanbrewertrumpet.com
Kevin Paul
MTJ Co-Founder Kevin Paul grew up in Los Angeles, California and is currently a member of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C. He performs with the Ceremonial Band and Herald Trumpets. In 2018, Staff Sgt. Paul became a founding member of the U.S. Army Trumpet Ensemble, a group comprised of trumpeters from all factions of Army Music: Premier Bands, Regional Bands, and the U.S. Army School of Music. From 2013 to 2018, Kevin served with The United States Army Field Band and Federal Brass quintet. As a soloist, Staff Sgt. Paul has been featured with The U.S. Army Field Band on several concert tours, including performances of George Gershwin's Preludes (arranged for trumpet) and John William’s With Malice Toward None from the motion picture "Lincoln." Before joining the Army, Kevin served as Acting Principal Trumpet of the China National Symphony in 2013.
Kevin attended the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he earned a Masters Degree in Music. He also holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the New School University. Kevin studied with many current and former members of the New York Philharmonic including Vincent Penzarella, Tom Smith, Phil Smith, and the former principal trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera, Mark Gould.
Kevin lives in Maryland with his wife, Nina, and two daughters, Emma and Madeline.
Davy DeArmond
Dr. Davy DeArmond currently serves as trumpet instrumentalist and section leader with the United States Naval Academy Band. Trumpeter Davy DeArmond has performed extensively in all genres throughout the United States. He has performed with a diverse group of ensembles including the Harrisburg Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Asheville Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, Lexington Philharmonic, Knoxville Symphony, the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre, Washington Symphonic Brass, Mr. Jack Daniel’s Original Silver Cornet Band, Brass of the Potomac, and the Great Noise Ensemble.
As an educator, he holds faculty positions at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America, Washington College and Anne Arundel Community College. He has published academic articles including many in the International Trumpet Guild Journal.
Davy earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kentucky studying with Mark Clodfelter. He holds a Master’s Degree in trumpet performance at Mannes College of Music in New York City with Robert Sullivan and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee with Dr. Cathy Leach. Additionally, he studied with Ray Mase and Kevin Cobb during three summer seasons at the Aspen Music Festival as well as Tina Erickson and his father, David DeArmond.
Matt Harriman
Matt Harriman was born in Columbus, Ohio and has been a member of the United States Naval Academy Band since 2012. He has served as 1st trumpet in the concert band, lead Trumpet in the big band "The Next Wave,” and lead trumpet with the rock band "The Electric Brigade.” He currently serves as Unit Leader of the Brass Quintet, head of video productions, and as an auditions assistant for the USNAB.
Harriman’s extensive performance history spans all genres, including musicians and ensembles like The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Peter Erskine, Malcolm McNab, The National Opera, and Alicia Keys, just to name a few. He has extensive studio experience in both Los Angeles and Washington D.C. recording music for CDs, TV shows, radio jingles, Movies, Video Games, and numerous music publishers and composers while also enjoying calls to play lead for broadway shows in the DMV area.
Harriman earned a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where he studied with former LA Philharmonic Trumpeter and Hollywood recording legend, Boyde Hood. His undergraduate and doctoral studies were completed at The Ohio State University where he received his Bachelors of music Music Education while studying with Roy Poper, Tim Leasure, and Dr. Russel Mikkelson. Matt lives in Maryland with his wife, Rachael, and their dog Piper.
Joshua Kauffman
Josh Kauffman currently serves as lead trumpet in the United States Army Blues. He grew up in New Castle, Pennsylvania. In 2017, Josh graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from The University of North Texas. While at UNT, he played in the Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band for three years, serving as both a jazz soloist and the lead trumpet player.
While living in the DFW Metroplex and attending UNT, he had the opportunity to share the stage with artists such as Doc Severinsen, Bobby McFerrin, Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, Chuck Findley, Wycliffe Gordon, Arturo Sandoval, Sean Jones and many others. He toured with the One O’Clock Lab Band to Australia to headline the Generations in Jazz Festival with James Morrison in 2016, as well as performing at Cancer Blows in 2015 and the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2017. Kauffman has had many influential teachers including Allen Vizzutti, Paul Stephens, Jay Saunders, Dr. Stephen Hawk, Rodney Booth, Mike Steinel, and John Holt.