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Sunday, January 18, 2026
— a “hybrid” event —
Your Trusted Officials
Sara Zhu — flute & vocals
Austin Stahle — guitar
Marty Risemberg — Drums
Kevin Thompson — Bass
Meet “Your Trusted Officials”
Your Trusted Officials is an indie rock duo from Washington, DC. Blending eclectic influences from rock, jazz, acoustic folk and 90s grunge, their sound pairs warm, introspective songwriting with lush vocals and vibrant harmonies. Consisting of Sara Zhu and Austin Stahle, their first single “Everglades” was released in August 2025 and later accompanied by a music video produced by Los Angeles based Who’s Driving? Productions.
Focused on creating music that evokes complex emotions, distant memories and fleeting moments, Your Trusted Officials deliver a sound that is unique yet deeply familiar.
See https://www.yourtrustedofficials.com/
BIOGRAPHY
Sara Zhu is a genre-blending jazz and classical flutist, vocalist, composer, and producer based in the Washington, DC area. She performs regularly as both a leader and side-woman in many of DC’s staple establishments including Blues Alley, The Kennedy Center, Strathmore, The Kreeger Museum, and the Chilean and Belgium Embassies. In the 2023-2024 arts season, Zhu held a residency at Forte Jazz Lounge in Charleston, SC. She is featured on Alfred Yun’s recent album, “Voice and Phenomenon,” amongst many other recording projects. In addition to performing, Zhu is an avid educator, serving as the adjunct flute and jazz combo instructor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Zhu is currently working on the first album with her alternative rock band, Your Trusted Officials. Their single, “Everglades,” is currently available on all streaming platforms. (click here to listen). Zhu holds a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies from James Madison University.
Austin Stahle is a guitarist and music educator in the DC area, who has quickly garnered a reputation for his versatility and musicianship. Experienced in jazz, rock, pop, blues, R&B, and gospel, he is highly sought after in the DMV region. Austin has performed at many of the east coast’s top venues including, SiriusXM Studios New York City, The Theatre at MGM National Harbor, Pearl Street Warehouse, City Winery, the Carlyle Room, the Embassy of Sweden and many more.
Austin received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from James Madison University. Since graduating, he has continued his educational pursuits by studying privately from some of the nation’s most respected jazz guitarists including John Stowell and Steve Herberman.
In 2021, Austin and his fellow JMU alumni Sara Zhu began a musical partnership that would eventually evolve into their original project, Your Trusted Officials. They released their first single, “Everglades” in August 2025 and are set to release an EP in 2026.
Marty Risemberg is a drummer, percussionist, composer, and educator based in the Washington, DC area. As a Strathmore Artist in Residence in 2024 Marty launched his Warp Grid Project for which he is the composer, arranger, and bandleader. He has recorded and toured throughout Asia and Europe with the jazz fusion trio, Swansong who have released three albums on the Hungarian jazz label, Hunnia Records. An active musician in the DC scene, he collaborates, records, and performs with artists such as Project Locrea, Taisha Estrada, Zoë Jorgenson, Minnush, and many other musicians across a plethora of genres. In between his time performing he is an active educator at 7DrumCity in DC and the International School of Music in Bethesda, MD.
Kevin Thompson is a dynamic multi-genre bassist and composer living in Washington, D.C. Raised in Fairfax, VA, he received his BM in performance from Ithaca College, and a Professional Studies diploma from the Cleveland Institute, both in classical Double Bass. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Jazz Studies at George Mason University. He has performed in concert with artists such as Doreen Ketchens, John Williams, Time For Three, Gil Shaham, and Robert Spano. Kevin has performed with the Akron Symphony, Canton Symphony, Alexandria Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, National Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Cleveland Opera. He was a fellow with The Orchestra Now before becoming a member of the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band, where he performs public concerts, White House events, and other musical functions for the Marine Corps.
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