Man playing the trumpet on a stage.

Dustin McKinney is a Los Angeles-based trumpet player, educator, and recording artist. As a freelance musician, he performs regularly with ensembles including the Pacific Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera, and Long Beach Symphony. He also serves as Second Trumpet with both the Santa Barbara Symphony and Opera Santa Barbara.

As a studio musician, Dustin has recorded for numerous film and television projects, including Toy Story 5, Avatar: The Way of Water, Jungle Cruise, X-Men: Apocalypse, Logan, and The Addams Family.

An experienced educator, Dustin previously served as Adjunct Professor of Trumpet at UC Santa Barbara and currently teaches trumpet at Pepperdine University in Malibu. In addition to his university teaching, he maintains a private studio of students ranging from beginners to advanced players, helping them develop strong fundamentals, efficient practice habits, and confident, consistent performance skills.

Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Dustin earned his degree from DePaul University in Chicago, where he studied with Matt Lee and John Hagstrom. He currently resides in Long Beach, California, with his wife, Cindy, and their son, Slater.

  • Orchestra musicians seated in a concert hall playing trumpets during a performance.

  • A small ensemble performing indoors, including trumpet and percussion instruments, in a room with ornate architecture and a decorative ceiling.

  • A man playing the trumpet in an orchestra, wearing glasses and a black suit.

  • A jazz band performing on stage indoors, with audience members seated and watching.

  • Three male musicians in a recording studio, playing trumpets while wearing headphones, with warm lighting in the background.