Dr. Isrea Butler has obtained multiple degrees in trombone performance from the Eastman School of Music (BM and MM) and Rutgers University (DMA). His teachers include Dr. John Marcellus, Ralph Sauer, George Roberts, Tom Ervin, Clay Jenkins, Bruce Paulson, Michael Powell, and Weston Sprott.   

 As well as being a founding member of the Gateways Brass Collective, he is the lead trombonist of the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra and has performed with many of NYC’s top jazz ensembles. In addition to orchestras and jazz ensembles, he has played trombone and tuba for eight NYC Broadway productions. Currently, he is the Director of the School of Music at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, prior to this appointment he was the Music Department Head at Valdosta State University, Music Department Chair at North Carolina Central University, and Professor of Trombone from 2017-2021. He served as the Director of Bands and music program coordinator at The University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Director of Jazz Studies and Low Brass at the University of Mary.