Felix Padilla was appointed Bass Trombonist of the U.S. Army West Point Band in 2019 and Bass Trombonist of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra in 2023. He earned a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with James Markey. Prior to his time in Boston, Felix studied with Bradley Palmer at Columbus State University, where he received a Bachelor of Music. Other teachers include Toby Oft, Steve Lange, Norman Bolter, Mike Roylance, and Joseph Vascik.
Felix has performed concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, and Boston Pops Orchestra. He was the winner of the 2018 Southeast Trombone Symposium’s S.E. Shires Solo Competition, as well as the runner-up of the Orchestral Excerpts Competition. Additional honors include being a finalist for both the International Trombone Association’s Edward Kleinhammer Competition and the American Trombone Workshop’s Bass Trombone Division II Competition.
Felix can be heard on Columbus State University Trombone Ensemble’s Full Tilt, on which he was the soloist on Brad Edwards’ Memories of the Spirit. He also performed on James Markey’s album Psychedelia.
Felix Padilla is a performing artist for Edwards Instrument Company.
“My Edwards bass trombone allows me the versatility of sound, articulation, and color necessary to sing with my voice through the instrument. The ability to create the sound inside of my head with ease is such a joy!”