Sean Van Winkle, percussion

Sean Van Winkle holds the positions of Principal Percussionist with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, as well as Acting Section Percussionist with the Boise Philharmonic for the 2025/2026 season. He maintains an active teaching and performing career in the D.C. Metro area and beyond, having played with ensembles such as the Houston Symphony, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Breckenridge Music Festival Orchestra, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and Symphony New Hampshire. Sean’s summer engagements have included fellowships with the National Repertory Orchestra in 2019 and the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival in 2016 and 2017.

An avid proponent of new music, Sean regularly seeks opportunities to highlight the work of living composers. He has performed U.S. premieres by Matthias Pintscher and Gavin Bryars, as well as world premieres by Ryan Carter and Ted Hearne. Sean has also appeared with contemporary ensembles such as Callithumpian Consort and the Phoenix ensemble.

Sean holds degrees from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, the College of Fine Arts at Boston University, and the New England Conservatory. His primary instructors include Matthew Strauss, Tim Genis, Dan Bauch, Kyle Brightwell, and Frank Epstein.

Sean lives in Arlington with his wife, a former pianist, and their energetic dog, Nico. When he isn’t performing, he enjoys hiking, hearing live music, and searching for the best shawarma in town.