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Associate Principal Trombone

Porter Wyatt Henderson

Porter Wyatt Henderson is currently Associate Principal Trombone of the Kansas City Symphony and Trombonist with the Kansas City Brass. He is a former member of the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Wyatt has also performed with the Chicago Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Crested Butte Music Festival, Great Music West, Sunflower Music Festival, and as a Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas, and a Master of Music from Northwestern University; his teachers include Leon Brown, John Kitzman, Per Brevig, Frank Crisafulli, and Arnold Jacobs. He currently maintains a private trombone studio, and has taught previously as an adjunct instructor at MidAmerica Nazarene University and Baker University. In addition to his musical activities, Wyatt is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher, and has trained in the martial art of Ki Aikido for many years.


Wyatt Henderson

Porter Wyatt Henderson is currently Associate Principal Trombone of the Kansas City Symphony and Trombonist with the Kansas City Brass. He is a former member of the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Wyatt has also performed with the Chicago Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Crested Butte Music Festival, Great Music West, Sunflower Music Festival, and as a Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas, and a Master of Music from Northwestern University; his teachers include Leon Brown, John Kitzman, Per Brevig, Frank Crisafulli, and Arnold Jacobs. He currently maintains a private trombone studio, and has taught previously as an adjunct instructor at MidAmerica Nazarene University and Baker University. In addition to his musical activities, Wyatt is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher, and has trained in the martial art of Ki Aikido for many years.

Listening to my parents’ record collection – from bluegrass to country to classical to Big Band.

Hey, the sixth grade band at Woodrow Wilson Elementary needed trombones!

Many performances throughout the area with the Kansas City Brass

Playing Bruckner Symphony No. 4 with Skrowaczewski. Also, playing with Lyle Lovett in the Flint Hills in June 2010.

My family consists of me, my wife Karen (a high school math and engineering teacher), my daughter Elise (a current Jayhawk), and son Elijah (a high school student and proud Blue Valley Blue Streak), and our two rescue dogs Morgan and Ginger. My main activity outside of the orchestra is practicing and teaching yoga – I am a Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor. I also enjoy hiking and wildlife watching in the Rocky Mountains.

Park Ranger

Being employed as a trombone player!

Creede, Colorado – if you go there you’ll see why.

Joe’s, Bryant’s, or Q39, depending on my mood.