Trae Blanco is currently a candidate for a DMA wind conducting degree in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University. He holds a Master of Music degree in wind conducting from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, as well as a Bachelor of Music Education degree from New Mexico State University.

While serving as the Director of Bands at Las Cruces High School (NM), the program became well recognized in the state. From 2008–2012 these groups--concert bands, marching band, two jazz bands, Avant Guard Winterguard and the Las Cruces Percussion Group--received superior ratings at New Mexico festivals as well as two gold ratings at Heritage Festivals in California. Under his direction, the New Mexico Music Educators Association selected the Jazz Band One as the New Mexico All State Honor Jazz Band in 2010, as well as the Symphonic Winds as the Honor Concert Band in 2011. Blanco was the recipient of the New Mexico Music Educators New and Emerging Teacher Award in 2010, and a finalist for the American Prize in Conducting in 2014.