Mike Hankins, Principal Trumpet

Oregon native Michael Hankins is an active freelance trumpet player in the northwest. As well as being the Principal Trumpet of the Columbia Symphony he is a member of the Eugene Symphony. He has performed with virtually all of the orchestras in the Portland area, oftentimes as Principal Trumpet. Orchestras including the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Astoria Music Festival as a featured soloist, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, Newport Symphony, Portland Symphonic Choir Orchestra, The Big Horn Brass and one of his favorites, the always inspiring Oregon East Symphony in Pendleton, Oregon where he is Assistant Principal Trumpet. He has also played abroad in the UK, Austria, Mexico and the Bahamas. When asked to name some highlights he cited doing some personal preparation for a performance of Mahler's 5th Symphony as Principal Trumpet in the 11th century church of St Edwards in the northern Cotswalds outside of London and an electrified performance with Itzhak Perlman and the Eugene Symphony.

When not on the symphony stage he can be seen virtually anywhere there is need for a trumpet player. Active in the big band community he is a member of the Portland Jazz Orchestra, Lily Wilde Orchestra, Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble as well as having had stints with the Carlton Jackson/Dave Mills Big Band, Art Abrams, Rob Scheps Big Band and others. He also enjoys keeping his feet in northwest clubs playing with such groups as The Bobby Torres Ensemble, Soul Vaccination, Five Guys Named Mo, The Essentials and countless others. He has also been seen with local super band, Pink Martini. He has also been featured on numerous recordings with these groups and many others.

When not performing Michael is an active teacher and clinician. He very much enjoys passing on what he has learned from his well respected teachers including Dave Bamonte, George Recker, Rich Cooper to name a few, to his many talented students.