Alex Handley is currently a Graduate Assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi pursuing a Doctorate in Performance and Pedagogy. He also completed a Masters in Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor’s in Performance with a Concentration in Business from Tennessee Technological University. Alex’s primary teachers are Dr. Ben McIlwain, Dr. Steve Wilson, Dr. Joshua Hauser, Steve Coonley(U.S. Army), Brandon Jones(U.S. Air Force), and Scott Kinney.

In April 2019, Alex successfully auditioned for the US Army Regional Bands and left for basic training in June 2019. Once completed, he reported to the Army School of Music where he graduated with honors and then left for Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division Band in El Paso, TX. While there he performed with the Gladiator and Sun City Brass Quintets, the Sun City Brass Band, Ceremonial Band, Marching Band, and Concert Band. During his time in the Army, Alex was given the opportunity to go on tour to perform and teach at several universities throughout the Southeast including Pensacola Christian College, Loyola- New Orleans, Louisiana State University, the University of Louisiana- Monroe, and the University of Southern Mississippi. At the final stop on the tour, the University of Louisiana-Monroe, Alex was invited to perform “Cameos for Bass Trombone and Band” by Gordon Jacob with the Wind Ensemble. Bookending his time in the Army, Alex was invited to perform at the American Trombone Workshop twice where he premiered two different works on the Guest Artist recital in 2020 and 2023. One of Alex’s proudest moments in the Army was when he earned the Humanitarian Service Award for performing music for Afghan refugees who were displaced outside of El Paso, TX. The joy on the people’s faces in the crowd is something he will not soon forget.

Alex has taught throughout the Southeast United States and in Texas. For him, nothing is more fulfilling than fostering a lifelong love for music in students young and old. As a teacher, Alex believes in developing the whole student: the person, the professional, and the artist.  Whether teaching privately or working with large groups, he is eager to help motivated students maximize their potential as performers and assist in achieving their goals no matter how ambitious. 

As a performer, Alex believes it is his responsibility to help grow the repertoire for the trombone. From solo trombone to works with full band accompaniment, Alex always looks forward to premiering new music and invites any composer looking for new music to be performed to reach out and introduce yourself to discuss opportunities to perform your music! Alex has a wide range of performing experience including, solo and chamber music, New Orleans style brass bands, big bands, salsa bands, wind bands, and orchestras. He prides himself on being a well-rounded performer with a wide range of unique experiences to draw from in all facets of playing

Alex currently serves as the Advertising Manager for the International Trombone Association’s Quarterly Journal and writes album reviews for the journal as requested. In his downtime, he enjoys playing games with friends, smoking meat, and visiting local coffee shops! Alex is married to his wife, Livi and they have 2 dogs, Guinness and Zelda, and a cat, Rory.