Shawn McElhaney was born and raised in Visalia, CA., and currently resides in Fresno. Shawn began playing the trombone his sophomore year at Redwood High School. After graduating in 1991 he continued his music studies at the College of the Sequoias. In 1999 he returned to his studies at California State University, Fresno and graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. He served as principal trombone for the Tulare County Symphony, and has also appeared on various recordings. He has played with many valley orchestras including the Fresno Philharmonic and continues to play throughout the San Joaquin Valley. He is an accomplished drill writer and show designer. Shawn is in his second year of teaching and is currently the Director of Bands at Hanford High School in Hanford, CA.