Chris Trombley

Chris Trombley found his footing in music education by stepping in as a substitute band director, a pivotal experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to empowering student musicians. That early role led to a position with John Keal Music as a dedicated road rep, where his hands-on experience proved to be an invaluable asset. A lifelong trombone and euphonium player, Chris was drawn to music education not just as a career but as a mission—to inspire the next generation of music makers. Over the years, he trained and mentored new reps, created a proprietary computer program still in use today, and steadily rose through the ranks after being hired by the Keals in 1984. His deep respect for tradition, combined with his forward-thinking approach to music retail, helped him preserve the company’s legacy and eventually become its owner. Chris’s passionate leadership continues to echo the values that first inspired him.