North American Saxophone Alliance Region 2 Conference
John Hallberg, conference host
April 4-6, 2025
California State University, Fullerton
RONALD S. ROCHON
President, California State University, Fullerton
AMIR H. DABIRIAN
Provost and VP for Academic Affairs
ARNOLD HOLLAND, EDD
Dean, College of the Arts
DR. RANDALL GOLDBERG
Director, School of Music
KIMO FURUMOTO
Assistant Director, School of Music
BONGSHIN KO
Assistant Director, School of Music
SCHOOL OF MUSIC FULL-TIME FACULTY AND STAFF
FACULTY
CONDUCTING
Kimo Furumoto instrumental
Dr. Robert Istad choral
Dr. Christopher Peterson choral
Dr. Dustin Barr instrumental
JAZZ AND COMMERCIAL MUSIC
Bill Cunliffe* jazz piano; arranging; Fullerton Jazz Orchestra, Fullerton Big Band and combo director
Rodolfo Zuñiga jazz studies, jazz percussion, and music techology; Fullerton Chamber Jazz Ensemble director
PIANO, ORGAN, PIANO PEDAGOGY
Bill Cunliffe jazz piano
Alison Edwards* piano, piano pedagogy, class piano
Myong-Joo Lee piano
Dr. Robert Watson piano
MUSIC EDUCATION, TEACHER TRAINING, AND TEACHING CREDENTIAL
Dr. Christopher Peterson choral
Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore* instrumental
MUSIC IN GENERAL EDUCATION
Dr. John Koegel*
Dr. Katherine Reed
MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Dr. Vivianne Asturizaga musicology
Dr. John Koegel* musicology
Dr. Katherine Powers musicology
Dr. Katherine Reed musicology
STRINGS
Kimo Furumoto Director of Orchestra Studies and University Symphony Orchestra conductor
Bongshin Ko cello
Dr. Ernest Salem* violin
THEORY AND COMPOSITION
Dr. Pamela Madsen, composition, theory
Dr. Ken Walicki* composition, theory
VOCAL, CHORAL, AND OPERA
Dr. Robert Istad Director of Choral Studies and University Singers conductor
Dr. Kerry Jennings* Director of Opera
Dr. Christopher Peterson CSUF Concert Choir and Singing Titans conductor
Dr. Joni Y. Prado voice, academic voice courses
Dr. Bri’Ann Wright general education
WOODWINDS, BRASS, AND PERCUSSION
Dr. Dustin Barr Director of Wind Band Studies, University Wind Symphony, University Band
Jean Ferrandis flute
Sycil Mathai* trumpet
Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore
University Symphonic Winds conductor
STAFF
Michael August Production Manager
Eric Dries Music Librarian
Gretchen Estes-Parker Office Coordinator
Will Lemley Audio Technician
Jeff Lewis Audio Engineer
Chris Searight Musical Instrument Services
Paul Shirts Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth Williams Business Manager
* denotes Area Coordinator
Welcome
Dear NASA Region 2 Conference Attendees,
On behalf of California State University, Fullerton, and the entire conference committee, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 North American Saxophone Alliance Region 2 Conference. We are thrilled to host this gathering of musicians, educators, and saxophone enthusiasts for a weekend filled with inspiring performances, insightful presentations, and meaningful connections.
This conference is a celebration of the artistry, innovation, and community that make the saxophone world so special. Whether you are here to perform, present, learn, or simply enjoy the music, we hope this experience will be enriching, inspiring, and memorable.
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Randall Goldberg, Dustin Barr, Gregory Whitmore, and all my colleagues at the CSUF School of Music for their unwavering support in hosting this event. A special thank you to Dean Arnold Holland of the College of the Arts for his encouragement and support of our musical endeavors. Additionally, this conference would not be possible without the appreciated efforts of Michael August, Chris Searight, Jeff Lewis, and their entire production staff, who have provided tremendous help and allowed us to take over the Clayes Performing Arts Center and the School of Music this weekend.
I am also incredibly grateful to the NASA Region 2 Conference Committee— Shawna Pennock, Nathan Mertens, Ashley Kelly, Christopher Charbonneau, Anibal Seminario, and Jeffrey Allardyce—for their hard work in making this event a reality. Your help and expertise have been instrumental in shaping this conference.
Lastly, a huge thank you to the CSUF Saxophone Studio for all your support leading up to and throughout the conference. From the small favors and advice to your dedication and hard work in pushing yourselves as musicians, you have all played a vital role in elevating the saxophone program at Fullerton. Your contributions made a bigger impact than you can imagine, and this conference wouldn’t have been possible without you. As we come together over the next few days, I encourage you to take full advantage of the many opportunities available—engage with fellow musicians, explore new ideas, and, most importantly, enjoy the music!
Welcome to the NASA Region 2 at CSUF, and have a fantastic conference!
Best,
John Hallberg
Host, NASA Region 2 Conference
California State University, Fullerton
Schedule of Events
Schedule of Events
Schedule of Events
FEATURED CONCERTS - MENG CONCERT HALL
EVENING CONCERT I: CONCERTO NIGHT FRI APRIL 4 @ 8PM
Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
Gregory X. Whitmore
Edward Goodman
Bonson Lee
Sarah Hetrick, Stephen Page, Shawna Pennock, Nathan Mertens John Hallberg
EVENING CONCERT II: A NIGHT OF NEW MUSIC, IMPROVISATION, AND JAZZ SAT APRIL 5 @ 8PM
Joseph S. Lyons
Rhonda Taylor
Encore Saxophone Quartet
Peter Sommer, Jake Saslow, Jay Mason, Anibal Seminario
AFTERNOON CLOSING CONCERT III: COLLABORATIONS SUN APRIL 6 @ 3PM
Duo Charbonneau & Friends
Woodwind
CPAC 119 - EXHIBIT HALL
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
EVENT KEY
Syrinx
Quintet with Kevin Day Conference Saxophone Ensemble
Prorgram Details
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025
8:00 pm • Meng Concert Hall
Evening Concert I - Concerto Night
Avelynn’s Lullaby (2011)
JOEL PUCKETT (B. 1977)
Unquiet Waters (2020/2023)
KEVIN DAY (B. 1996)
I. fast, turbulent
II. still
III. disturbed
Edward Goodman, alto saxophone
Polarities (2023)
JORGE MACHAIN (B. 1993)
Bonson Lee, baritone saxophone
Second Nature (2024)
VIET CUONG (B. 1990)
Sarah Hetrick, soprano saxophone
Stephen Page, alto saxophone
Nathan Mertens, tenor saxophone
Shawna Pennock, baritone saxophone
Rush (2012/2015)
KENNETH FUCHS (B. 1956)
I. Evening (Cadenza-Adagietto)
II. Morning (Cadenza-Allegro)
John Hallberg, alto saxophone
The Pathfinder of Panama (1915)
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA (1854-1932)
PACIFIC SYMPHONY YOUTH WIND ENSEMBLE
Gregory X. Whitmore, music director
SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2025
9:00 am • Recital Hall
Comets (2004)
JUN NAGAO (1964)
APOLLO 4 QUARTET
Cormac Merilus, soprano saxophone
Yizhong Yang, alto saxophone
Ben Marty, tenor saxophone
Samyam Bhandari, baritone saxophone
9:00 am • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Catharsis for Saxophone Quartet (2022)
RICHARD DEMATTEIS
Zodiac Quartet (2021)
ALEXA OLMOS (B. 1998)
I. Cancer
II. Libra
III. Aries
CSULB UNIVERSITY SAXOPHONE QUARTET
Cody Benner, soprano saxophone
Joe Baldry, alto saxophone
Joshua Chen, tenor saxophone
Christopher Basham, baritone saxophone
9:00 am • CPAC 170
Jericho
AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUAL, ARR. PAUL YODER
Largo (from Symphony No. 9
“From the New World”)
ANTONIN DVORAK (1841-1904), ARR. COLIN WARD
Pirates of the Caribbean Medley
K. BADELT/H. ZIMMER, ARR. BRIAN C. HERALD/COLIN WARD
TELESIS ACADEMY SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
Colin Ward, director/conductor saxophone
Colin Hawkins, soprano/alto saxophone
Noe Canul Dzul, alto saxophone
Aurelio Rodriguez, alto saxophone
Edgar Gomez, tenor saxophone
Irving Chacon, tenor saxophone
Randy Guerrero, baritone saxophone
Josue Gonzalez, baritone saxophone
9:00 am • CPAC 254
“The Improviser’s Specialty: Using Jazz Pedagogy to Teach Beginner Saxophone Technique”
David Bernot, lecturer
9:10 am • Recital Hall
Songs for the Coming Day (2012)
DAVID MASLANKA (1943-2017)
VIII. The Soul is Here for Its Own Joy EOS QUARTET
Thomas Zhao, soprano saxophone
Jai Lue, alto saxophone
Cameron Davenport, tenor saxophone
Alison Shiao, baritone saxophone
9:20 am • Recital Hall
Distorted Midnight’s (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
LENNON GAMEZ (B. 2004)
TITAN SAXOPHONE QUARTET
Lennon Gamez, soprano saxophone
Ana Adame, alto saxophone
Miles Luong-Gonzales, tenor saxophone
Cory Branch, baritone saxophone
Prorgram Details
9:20 AM • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
The Mechanics: Six from the Shop Floor (2008) CARTER PANN (B. 1972)
I. Hoist
II. Drive Train
III. Belt
IV. Flywheel
V. Balance
VI. Trash
USC SAXOPHONE QUARTET
Joshua Hebert, soprano saxophone
Collin Juniper, alto saxophone
Sophia Flores, tenor saxophone
Julianna Townley, baritone saxophone
9:20 am • CPAC 170
Songs for the Coming Day (2012) DAVID MASLANKA (1943-2017)
VIII. The Soul is Here for Its Own Joy GOLDEN COAST SAXOPHONE QUARTET
Jayden Lee, soprano saxophone
Shido Kamai, alto saxophone
Armaan Diwan, tenor saxophone
Ariel Perez, baritone saxophone
9:30 am • Recital Hall
Three Brilliant Duos, op. 102 (1829) FRIEDRICH KUHLAU (1786-1832), ARR. ISAAC MCINTOSH
I. Allegro Assai
Neon Flicker (2012)
TAKUMA ITOH (B. 1984)
WAVELENGTH DUO
Isaac McIntosh, soprano saxophone
Hannah Halfalia, flute
KlezDuo (2005/2022)
JONATHAN RUSSELL (B. 1979)
Isaac McIntosh, baritone saxophone
Rachael Geiger, bass clarinet
9:40 am • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
The Transient (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
KEANU TENORIO (B. 2004)
Had I Not Seen the Sun (2024) HOYO-MIX (B. 2011),
ARR. KEANU TENORIO (B. 2004)
Memories (2023) (WORLD PREMIERE)
KEANU TENORIO
SOPRANOS AND BARITONES
SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
Martin Norlin, soprano saxophone
Makayla Roybal, alto saxophone
Alan Corral, alto saxophone
Oona Benally, alto saxophone
Keanu Tenorio, tenor saxophone
Maiya Oyakawa, tenor saxophone
Gabriel Clancy, tenor saxophone
9:40 AM • CPAC 170
The Distance Between My Fingers and Yours (2024)
GRACIE FAGAN (2000)
Tributary (2024/2025) (WORLD PREMIERE)
ABBY KELLEMS (B. 1998)
Joel Ferst, saxophone(s)
10:00 am • Recital Hall
Flute Partita in A Minor, BWV 1013 (1722-1724)
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)
I. Allemande
II. Sarabande
III. Bourrée Anglaise
Taima Bati, alto saxophone
10:00 am • (Thorsen Hall CPAC 127)
Comets (2004)
JUN NAGAO (B. 1964)
Cathedral Lakes (2024) (CONSORTIUM PREMIERE)
JOANNE HARRIS (B. 1984)
Speckle Vector (2020)
NICHAGARN CHIRACHARASPORN (B. 2001)
SCOPE QUARTET
Mathew Harget, soprano saxophone
Austin Hailey, alto saxophone
Olivia Phaneuf, tenor saxophone
Daniel Reyes-Velarde, baritone saxophone
10:00 am • CPAC 170
The Blessing (1958) ORNETTE COLEMAN (1930-2015)
Free (1958)
ORNETTE COLEMAN
BRANDEN BROWN QUARTET
Branden Brown, alto saxophone
Evan Abounassar, trumpet
Dario Bizio, upright bass
Gavin Harris, drum set
10:00 am • CPAC 254
“Learning From the Masters: Implementing Active Listening and Ear Training For Classical Saxophonists”
Colton Sell, lecturer
Prorgram Details
10:20 am • Recital Hall
Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, op. 6 (1932)
SAMUEL BARBER (1910-1981)
ARR. THOMAS COLBURN (B. 1998)
I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Adagio
Thomas Colburn, baritone saxophone
David Henderson, piano
10:20 am • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Splinter (2014/2018)
MARC MELLITS (B. 1966)
I. Scarlet Oak
II. Sugar Maple
III. Linden
V. Cherry
VI. River Birch
VIII. Red Pine
CSUF SAXOPHONE CHOIR
Elijah Samuel, soprano saxophone
Lennon Gamez, soprano saxophone
Kimberly Orozco, alto saxophone
Jon Salarda, alto saxophone
Ana Adame, alto saxophone
Joshua Lopez, tenor saxophone
Miles Luong-Gonzales, tenor saxophone
Samuel Tobilla, baritone saxophone
Cory Perez, baritone saxophone
Drake Bolt, baritone saxophone
10:30 am • CPAC 170
Caño Cristales (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE) ANDREA GUTIERREZ (B. 2000)
Tre Pezzi (1984)
GIACINTO SCELSI (1905-1988)
I. Quarter Note = 80-84
II. Dolce, meditativo
III. Quarter Note = 108
Elijah Reyes, soprano saxophone
10:40 am • Recital Hall
Mysterious Morning III (1996)
FUMINORI TANADA (B. 1961)
Almost Everything, Yet Nothing (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
“Authentic Vibrato: A Comparison Between Classical and Jazz Saxophone Usage”
Jake Saslow, lecturer
11:20 am • Recital Hall
Without Another Word (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE) MARK WATKINS (B. 1961)
Shouldn’a Did That (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE) MARK WATKINS
Program Details
Partially Tucked Under a Rug (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
MARK WATKINS FOUR
Mark Watkins, soprano/alto saxophones
Mat Miles, alto saxophone
Ben Nichols, tenor saxophone
Ben Britton, baritone saxophone
1:00 pm • Recital Hall
Apt # 1
BENJAMIN NICHOLS
Triangulo
BENJAMIN NICHOLS
Cerulean Sunflower
BENJAMIN NICHOLS
NICHOLS-NOLTE DUO
Benjamin Nichols, saxophone
Aimee Nolte, piano
1:00 pm • CPAC 170
Jazz Masterclass: Peter Sommer
Solar (1954)
CHUCK WAYNE (1923-1997)
Abi Scafidi, alto saxophone
Miles Luong Gonzales, tenor saxophone
Stablemates (1955)
BENNY GOLSON (1929-2024)
Spencer Bowie, alto saxophone
Matthew Esqueda, piano
Kevin Karagozian, bass
Caleb Rounds, drums
1:00 pm • CPAC 254
“Building a Thriving Music Studio: A Guide to Get Started”
Paul Cotton, lecturer
1:20 pm • Recital Hall
Images (2008)
DAVID BIEDENBENDER (B. 1984)
I. Deep
II. Still
III. Wild
Nathan Bogert, alto saxophone
Hannah Creviston, piano
1:40 pm • Recital Hall
If the Winter Had No Fallen Leaves (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
AUSTIN YIP (B. 1985)
I. The First Leaf
II. The Second Leaf
III. The Third Leaf
Fantasia for Two Saxophones and Piano (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
MEILINA TSUI (B. 1993)
Calvin Wong, soprano saxophone
Bonson Lee, baritone saxophone
Hannah Creviston, piano
2:00 pm • Recital Hall
Awake, North Wind (1990)
JAY KAWARSKY (B. 1959)
Phoenix Rising (2016)
STACY GARROP (B. 1969)
I. Dying in embers
II. Reborn in flames
Julianna Townley, soprano saxophone
2:00 pm • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Blitz (2025) (WORLD PREMIERE)
NICHAGARN CHIRACHARASPORN (B. 2001)
Heads or Tails (2025) (WORLD PREMIERE)
THACHER SCHREIBER (B. 2000)
UCLA SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
Mathew Harget, soprano saxophone
Olivia Phaneuf, soprano saxophone
Catrina Currier, alto saxophone
Austin Hailey, alto saxophone
Ella Scoville, tenor saxophone
Daniel Reyes-Velarde, baritone saxophone
Owen Richards, baritone saxophone
Aidan Tatlonghari, baritone saxophone
2:00 pm • CPAC 254
“Keith Jarrett, ECM and Sigurd Rascher: Comparative study of their role in the development of European Music and their musical philosophy. / Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Keith Jarrett’s ground breaking album ‘Belonging’ with an extensive original arrangement of the recorded pieces (songs) for Saxophone Quartet.”
Joshua Hayashi-Doyon, lecturer
2:20 pm • Recital Hall
Ku Ku (1997)
BARRY COCKCROFT (B. 1972)
Anthony Qin, soprano saxophone
2:20 pm • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Dunbar Songs (2011/2024)
STACY GARROP (B. 1969)
I. Life
II. Not They Who Soar
III. Lullaby
IV. Old
Program Details
Earth Song (2009)
FRANK TICHELI (B. 1958)
ARR. BY VINCIO ORDONEZ (B. 1987)
Overture to Pirates of Penzance (1879)
W.S. GILBERT (1836-1911)/
A. SULLIVAN (1842-1900), ARR. M. MCGEE
THE BOB COLE CONSERVATORY
SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
Jay Mason, director/conductor
Cody Benner, soprano saxophone
Juno Johnson, soprano saxophone
Christian Arias, alto saxophone
Alex Arnold, alto saxophone
Izzy Avina, alto saxophone
Taima Bati, alto saxophone
Raymond Chevis, alto saxophone
Cesar Lepe, alto saxophone
Dante Navarro, alto saxophone
Jesse Tigno, alto saxophone
Micheal Quintero, alto saxophone
Noah Johnson, tenor saxophone
Gabriel Lopez, tenor saxophone
Esteban Jimenez Lopez, tenor saxophone
Malcolm McGee, tenor saxophone
Francisco Ortega, tenor saxophone
Chris Basham, baritone saxophone
Branden Berumen, baritone saxophone
Cameron Hertz, baritone/bass saxophones
2:20 pm • CPAC 170
For Oliver (2024)
GRACIE FAGAN (B. 2000)
I. Komorebi
II. Chasing Little Fairies
III. On the Precipice of Breakfast
Ian Gunnarschja, saxophone
Gracie Fagan, electronics
2:40 pm • Recital Hall
Lonepine (2023)
TANNER BAYLES (B. 1999)
On The Hunt (2023)
JORGE MACHAIN (B. 1993)
Bonson Lee, baritone saxophone
Hannah Creviston, piano
2:40 pm • CPAC 170
NGC 3324 (2022) (WORLD PREMIERE)
CHRISTIAN LONGORIA (B. 2002)
Herbig-Haro 46/47 (2023) (WORLD PREMIERE)
CHRISTIAN LONGORIA
Paintings in the Void (2024)
CHRISTIAN LONGORIA (B. 2002)
Christian Longoria Group
Christian Longoria, tenor saxophone Rhythm Section, TBA
3:00 pm • Recital Hall
Turtle Totem (2019)
DAI FUJIKURA (B. 1977)
Mirage (2023)
DAI FUJIKURA
Colin Crake, saxophone
3:00 pm • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Masterclass: Jan Berry Baker
Concerto (1959)
PIERRE-MAX DUBOIS (1930-1995)
I. Lento Espressivo - Allegro
Tommy Wilde, alto saxophone
Hannah Creviston, piano
Tableaux de Provence (1955)
PAUL MAURICE (1910-1967)
V. Lou Cabridan
Hayden Eighmy, alto saxophone
Hannah Creviston, piano
3:00 pm • CPAC 254
“From the Inside Out: An In-Depth Resource for the Development of Saxophone Sound”
Mark Watkins, lecturer
3:20 pm • Recital Hall
Staying the Night (2014)
DAVID BIEDENBENDER (B. 1984)
Rotte (2012-2015)
JUNICHI MURATA (B. 1985) No. 2 No. 1
Martinez/Entrambasaguas Duo
Juan Carlos Entrambasaguas, soprano/alto saxophones
Ricardo Martinez, alto saxophone
4:00 pm • Recital Hall
Alpenblumen Suite (2025) (WORLD PREMIERE)
KARALYN SCHUBRING (B. 1999)
Primaries (2019)
CLINT BLEIL (B. 1994)
I. Blue
Siobhan Plouffe, tenor saxophone
Wesley Taylor, tenor saxophone
Bonson Lee, tenor saxophone
4:00 pm • CPAC 170
Grab it! (1999)
JACOBTV (B. 1951)
Jiaju Liu, tenor saxophone
Program Details
4:00 pm • CPAC 2547
“Rolling Out the Redd Carpet for Vi Redd”
Katie Steffen, lecturer
4:20 pm • Recital Hall
Sonata (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
WILLIAM AUFLIK (B. 2002) I. II. III.
William Auflik, alto saxophone
Hannah Creviston, piano
4:20 pm • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Saxophone Quartet (2014)
DAN KNORR (B. 1990)
V. Relentless
Pop Rock in Metal (2018)
OLIVIA KIEFFER (B. 1980)
I. Pop Rock
II. Interlude
III. Metal
ECHO QUARTET
Elijah Reyes, soprano saxophone
Coltrane James, alto saxophone
Joseph Andal, tenor saxophone
Channing Shows, baritone saxophone
4:30 pm • CPAC 170
Sueños de Flamenco (2018)
STACY GARROP (B. 1969)
Cloud Cover on Erie (2024)
JENNI WATSON (B. 1985)
Isaac McIntosh, alto saxophone
Trevor Beach, acoustic guitar
Nelson Flores, electric guitar
4:40 pm • Recital Hall
Sonata for Oboe and Piano (1921)
CAMILLE SAINT-SA Ë NS, ARR. JUAN CARLOS ENTRAMBASAGUAS
II. Ad libitum - Allegretto - Ad libitum
Second Meeting (1992) (WORLD PREMIERE)
ESA-PEKKA SALONEN (B. 1958)
ARR. JUAN CARLOS ENTRAMBASAGUAS
Juan Carlos Entrambasaguas, soprano saxophone
Jason Lo, piano
4:40 pm • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Saxophone Music (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
LUC EDOUARD (B. 2005)
USC Saxophone Quintet
Sophia Flores, soprano saxophone
Collin Juniper, alto saxophone
Ezequiel L. Castaneda, alto saxophone
Julianna Townley tenor saxophone
Josh Herbert baritone saxophone
Fog Run (2025)
BRENDAN MCBRIEN (B. 1960)
USC THORNTON SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
Joshua Herbert, soprano saxophone
Julianna Townley, soprano saxophone
Ezequiel Castaneda, alto saxophone
Gaoyuan Chen, alto saxophone
Sophia Flores, tenor saxophone
Reese Whitley, tenor saxophone
Collin Juniper, baritone saxophone
5:00 pm • Recital Hall
The Heroine with a Thousand Faces (2024)
ANNE LEBARON (B. 1953)
Leymah Gbowee
Julieta Dobles
Susan B. Anthony
Jan Berry Baker, saxophone
5:15 pm • Recital Hall
D(i)agon(als) (2005/2022)
AUGUSTA READ THOMAS (B. 1964)
Deux Mouvements (1991)
ANDR É WAIGNEIN (1942-2015)
I. Complainte
II. Caprice
Jeffrey Allardyce, alto saxophone
Hannah Creviston, piano
5:30 pm • Recital Hall
Paris (2022) (US PREMIERE)
DAVID SALLERAS (B. 1980)
Barcelona (2022) (US PREMIERE)
DAVID SALLERAS
ARR. ORIOL GONZ Á LEZ PERELLÓ (B. 1976)
Dr. Lindsey O’Connor, soprano/alto saxophones
Hayden Eighmy, tenor saxophone
Hannah Creviston, piano
5:45 pm • Recital Hall
Concerto (1940/1946)
JAROMÍ R WEINBERGER (1896-1967)
I. Andante rubato
III. Finale
CREVISTON DUO
Christopher Creviston, alto saxophone
Hannah Creviston, piano
Program Details
8:00 pm • Meng Concert Hall
Evening Concert II
A Night of New Music, Improvisation, and Jazz
Ruby by Night, Emerald by Day (2025)
JOSEPH S. LYONS (B. 1995)
Joseph S. Lyons, soprano saxophone/modular synthesizer
Free Improvisation Based on Music from Chaos Theory (2025)
RHONDA TAYLOR (B. 1976)
Rhonda Taylor, baritone saxophone
Hector, Desmond and Titus (2014)
DAMON ZICK (B. 1975)
Three for Four (2014)
DAMON ZICK (B. 1975)
Nada Pero Maquinas (2016)
DAMON ZICK (B. 1975)
ENCORE SAXOPHONE QUARTET
Doug Masek, soprano saxophone
Ken Foerch, alto saxophone
David Brennan, tenor saxophone
Damon Zick, baritone saxophone
Sunday Night and Dancing (2021) PETER SOMMER
In a Lonely Place (2021) PETER SOMMER
No One Moves to Canada (2021) PETER SOMMER
Asheville (2024)
JAKE SASLOW (B. 1982)
Song for B (2025)
JAKE SASLOW (B. 1982)
Jay Mason, alto saxophone
Anibal Seminario, alto saxophone
Peter Sommer, tenor saxophone
Jake Saslow, tenor saxophone
Jonathan Montes, piano
Osmar Okuma, bass
Oscar Barcelli, drums
SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2025
9:00 am • Recital Hall
Salsa, Reguetón y Merengue (2024)
RAYMOND TORRES-SANTOS (B. 1958)
I. Salsa
II. Reguetón
III. Merengue
PATHWAYS SAXOPHONE QUARTET
Patrick Olmos, soprano saxophone
John Hallberg , alto saxophone
Christopher Charbonneau, tenor saxophone
James Barrera, baritone saxophone
Percussion, TBA
9:00 am • Thorsen Hall CPAC 127
Masterclass: Stephen Page
Concerto in E-Flat Major for Alto Saxophone, op. 109 (1934)
ALEXANDER GLAZUNOV (1865-1936)
William Wu, alto saxophone
Hanah Charbonneau, piano
Mysterious Morning III (2000)
FUMINORI TANADA (B. 1961)
Gavin Martellotti, soprano saxophone
9:00 am • CPAC 170
“So You Want to Be a Sax Player”
Sal Lozano, lecturer
9:00 am • CPAC 254
“What else can I do? Interactive Electroacoustic Music & Exploring New Creative Palettes” Deconstruct (2015), Jenni Watson (1985) Animals (1886/2025)m Camille Saint-Saens, arr. Joseph S. Lyons
Penelope’s Sont (2003), Judith Shatin (b. 1949)
Ruby by Night, Emerald by Day (2025), Joseph S. Lyons (b. 1995)
Joseph S. Lyons, lecturer
9:40 am • Recital Hall
Drei Romanzen, op. 22 (1853)
CLARA SCHUMANN (1819-1896)
ARR. MAX OPFERKUCH (B. 1997)
I. Andante molto
II. Allegretto: Mit zartem Vortrage
III. Leidenschaftlich schnell
Zachry Taburaza, tenor saxophone
Hanah Charbonneau, piano
10:00 am • Recital Hall
Pocketing Parnassus (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
CARTER PANN (B. 1972)
Uncharted (2023)
FRANCISCO JAVIER DE ALBA (B. 1994)
I. Panic
II. Longing
III. Frustration
IV. Wariness
V. Optimism CALLIOPE
Lauren Glomb, oboe
Jerick Meagher, saxophone
Lauren Ardelt, b-flat clarinet
Eddie Martinez, bassoon
Koby Slavin, bass clarinet
Program Details
10:00 am • CPAC 170
Mountain Roads (1997)
DAVID MASLANKA (1943-2017)
II: Chorale: Wo soll ich fliehen
VI: Finale
THE STANFORD SAXOPHONE QUARTET
Thomas Colburn, soprano saxophone
Jiaju Liu, alto saxophone
Grant N. Moore, tenor saxophone
Amaru Ordóñez-Jacobson, baritone saxophone
10:00 am • CPAC 254
“The Bassissimo Register: A New Register Comprised of Different Tones”
Hendrik Viljoen, lecturer
10:20 am • Recital Hall
Lilith (2004)
WILLIAM BOLCOM (B. 1938)
I. The Female Demon
II. Succuba
III. Will-O’-the-Wisp
IV. Child-Stealer
V. The Night Dance
Sophia Flores, alto saxophone
Andrew Edwards, piano
10:20 am • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Octet for Saxophones (2000)
JUN NAGAO (B. 1964) I. II.
LAS VEGAS YOUTH SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
Dr. Lindsey O’Connor, artistic director
Hayden Eighmy, soprano saxophone
Paul Bearden, soprano saxophone
William Auflik, alto saxophone
Alfred Manera, alto saxophone
Alec Russell, tenor saxophone
Johnny Rubio, tenor saxophone
Antonio Caracun, baritone saxophone
James Mazzella, baritone saxophone
10:30 am • CPAC 170
Level Up! (2024)
CHRIS EVAN HASS (B. 1993)
I. Adventure Awaits
II. Moonlit Village
III. Final Boss
SOLSTICE QUARTET
William Wu, soprano saxophone
Vincent Nguyen, alto saxophone
Salvador Valle, tenor saxophone
Tom Zhao, baritone saxophone
10:40 am • Recital Hall
Time Unfolding (2024)
(CONSORTIUM PREMIERE)
ALEXANDRA GARDNER (B. 1967)
I. Abundance Ratio
II. Infrared
III. Metallicity
Olivia Phaneuf, alto saxophone
Hanah Charbonneau, piano
10:40 am • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Upper West Stomp (2015) WILL HEALY (B. 1990)
Portrait of Wayne Shorter (2023)
WAYNE SHORTER (1933-2023)
ARR. KEVIN RAVELLETTE (B. 2002)
I. Footprints
II. Lost
III. Infant Eyes
IV. Yes Or No
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
George Rosas, soprano saxophone
Jaxson Archer, soprano saxophone
Sam Egan, alto saxophone
Ricky Li, alto saxophone
Ivanna Zuniga, tenor saxophone
Daniel Reyes, tenor saxophone
Kevin Ravellette, tenor saxophone
Joseph Rader, baritone saxophone
Ethan Luker, baritone saxophone
11:00 am • Recital Hall
Lilac Tears (2022)
JENN(IFER) JOLLEY (B. 1981)
Overflow (2022)
KARALYN SCHUBRING ( B. 1999)
Colin Ward, soprano/alto saxophones
Hanah Charbonneau, piano
11:00 am • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Masterclass: Nathan Mertens
Quatuor pour Saxophone (1988)
IDA GOTKOVSKY (B. 1933)
VI. Final
ZARYA QUARTET
Jaxson Archer, soprano saxophone
Ricky Li, alto saxophone
Ivanna Zuniga, tenor saxophone
Ethan Luker, baritone saxophone
Introduction et Variations sur une Ronde Populaire (1935)
GABRIEL PIERN É (1863-1937)
VIENTO SAXOPHONE QUARTET
Isaac McIntosh, soprano saxophone
Jose Alberto Hernandez Ibanez, alto saxophone
Wilber De La Cruz Evangelista, tenor saxophone
Elijah Valdivia, baritone saxophone
Program Details
11:00 am • CPAC 170
“Lessons from the Master — Charlie Parker: Note Choices” Mark Watkins, lecturer
11:00 am • CPAC 254
“Everything, Everywhere, All At Once: A Circular Practice Method for Saxophone Technique and Jazz Language” Andrew Janak, lecturer
11:20 am • Recital Hall
Enceladus, The Bright (2022) (WORLD PREMIERE)
AUSTIN ALI (B. 1997)
Lessons of the Sky (1985-1990)
RODNEY ROGERS (B. 1953)
Benjamin Bradburn, soprano saxophone Hanah Charbonneau, piano
11:40 am • Recital Hall
Moira (2023)
DAVID BIEDENBENDER (B. 1984)
Recollections (2024)
TYLER TAYLOR (B. 1992)
Paul Cotton, alto/baritone saxophones
James Barrera, baritone saxophone Hanah Charbonneau, piano
1:00 pm • Recital Hall
Fantaisie (1995)
DENIS B É DARD (B. 1995) Sal Lozano, soprano saxophone Jason Lo, piano
1:00 pm • Thorsen Hall (CPAC 127)
Masterclass: Edward Goodman
Sonate en ut# (1943)
FERNANDE DECRUCK (1896-1954)
I. Tres modere, expressif Ben Curley, alto saxophone Hanah Charbonneau, piano
Sonatine (1947)
CLAUDE PASCAL (1921-2017)
Austin Hailey, alto saxophone Hanah Charbonneau, piano
1:00 pm • CPAC 170
“Lessons from the Master —
Charlie Parker: Articulation, Subdivision, and Rhythm”
Mark Watkins, lecturer
1:00 PM • CPAC 254
“Woodwind Doubling for Saxophonists”
Jay Mason, lecturer
1:20 pm • Recital Hall
Whisper Not (1956) (WORLD PREMIERE)
BENNY GOLSON (1929-2024)
ARR. CHRISTIAN LONGORIA ( B. 2002)
Domingo (1991) (WORLD PREMIERE)
BENNY GOLSON
ARR. DAVID BERNOT (B. 1994)
Times Past (This is for You, John) (1983) (WORLD PREMIERE)
BENNY GOLSON
ARR. ANDREW JANAK (B. 1990)
UNC JAZZ SAXOPHONE QUARTET
Andrew Janak, soprano saxophone
Christian Longoria, alto saxophone
David Bernot, tenor saxophone
Edward Moncada, baritone saxophone
1:40 pm • Recital Hall
Saxophone Quartet No. 2 (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
JORDAN HOLLOWAY (B. 1999)
Color Palette (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE) THEO STRICH (B. 2001) KODACHROME
10 West: 3 Postcards for Alto Saxophone, Piano, String Quartet, and Percussion (2018/2025)
ROGER PRZYTULSKI (B. 1976)
1. Incendiary Bird
2. Mirage
3. Angel’s Flight
DUO CHARBONNEAU & FRIENDS
Christopher Charbonneau, alto saxophone
Hanah Charbonneau, piano
Kirika Suzuki, violin
Ashlyn Ashby, violin
Dae Kwon, viola
Chris McCarthy, cello
Dave Gerhart, percussion
Tioga Pass (2024) (WORLD PREMIERE)
ALEXA OLMOS (B. 1998)
Marine Layer (2024)
KINCAID RABB (B. 1993)
Flute
Ouyue (Alice) Yu, principal
Kaya Baird
Christine Choi
Siyu (Chelsea) Jiang
Euna Kim
Jia Kim
Sol (Sarie) Kwak
Yeeun (Christine) Oh
Jae Eun (April) Park
Jacqueline Tseng
Emily Zhao
Oboe
Madelynn AuYeung, principal
Grace Kim
Sydney Kramer
Joshua Lee
Clarinet
Ken Liu, principal
Riversong (2023)
KEVIN DAY (B. 1996)
SYRINX WOODWIND QUINTET
Victoria Lee, oboe
Micah Wright, clarinet
Patrick Olmos, saxophone
Mathieu Girardet, bass clarinet
Alex Rosales Garcia, bassoon
Kevin Day, piano
Festive Overture, op. 96 (1954)
DIMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
ARR. EDDIE SUNDRA
Tchaikovskiana (2023)
YASUHUDE ITO (B. 1960)
First Suite in E-Flat (1909)
GUSTAV HOLST (1874-1934), ARR. ANDREW HERALD I. Chaconne II. Intermezzo III. March
Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite (1913) KARL L. KING (1891-1971)
ARR. KEVIN KASTENS
CONFERENCE SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
Dustin Barr, conductor
Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
Gregory X. Whitmore, music director
Sections Listed Alphabetically Under Principal
Mason Ahn
John Cho
Anderson Ham
Jenna Hong
Seongwon (Wonny) Jang
Matthew Kim
Benjamin Lee
Kaden Lee
Katherine Shinogi
Meitong (Annie) Song
Eric Wong
Yumeng (Erica) Zou
Bass Clarinet
Dylan Rosen, principal
Bassoon
Sohrab Zarin, principal
Normandie Olsen
Alto Saxophone
Thomas Zhao, co-principal
Ben Curley, co-principal
River Bridson
Noah Chang
Brandon Chien
Megan Chou
Jayden Lee
Nolan Nelson
Vincent Nguyen
William Wu
Tenor Saxophone
Justin Vo, principal
Armaan Diwan
Baritone Saxophone
Alison Shiao, principal
Jacobo (Jacob)
Herrera Monteon
Lake Muther
Horn
Heidi Hernandez, principal
Brandon Dee
Yujia (Aurora) Li
Aviv Poliva
Koen Wang
Rico Xu
Trumpet
Myles Sanjurjo, principal
Austin Ahn
Esteban Celaya
Sooho Cho
Ryan Choi
Yuheng (Larry) Li
Nicolas Nogal
Claire Sim
George Ty
Eric Zhu
Trombone
Parker Medvitz, principal
Marie Bocanegra
Luca Dustin
Jaden Jung
Presenter Bios
Jeffrey Allardyce is a saxophone performer, music theorist, and educator from West Michigan. He currently serves as Visiting Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Music Theory at the University of Utah. As a soloist, Allardyce competed in the 8th International Adolphe Sax Competition in Dinant, Belgium in addition to being named a finalist in the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Collegiate Solo Competition and Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Competition. As a chamber musician, he holds the tenor chair in Sound Session, an award-winning saxophone quartet that received first place in the Fischoff “Lift Every Voice” Competition, NASA Quartet Competition, MTNA Chamber Music Competition, Barbara Wagner Chamber Music Competition, and NOLA Chamber Fest. As an ensemble musician, he has performed with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and internationally with saxophone ensembles at the 17th and 18th World Saxophone Congresses in Strasbourg, France and Zagreb, Croatia, respectively. Allardyce holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance and Master of Music in Music Theory Pedagogy from Michigan State University, a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music, and two Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Performance from Central Michigan University.
The Arizona State University Saxophone Choir has commissioned and premiered works by Marc Mellits, Gregory Wanamaker, Stacy Garrop, Clint Bleil, Michael Kocour, Jodi Rockmaker, Gabriel Bolaños, Derek Brown, Liza Sobel, and Jenni Watson.
Corporal William Auflik is a saxophonist and composer studying at the College of Southern Nevada with Dr. Lindsey O’Connor. In 2024, Auflik received an Honorable Mention in the Southwest Division of the Music Teacher National Associations Young Artist Composition Competition and won the Nevada Music Teachers Association Young Artist Composition Competition with his piece “Soundscapes” for saxophone quartet. In December of 2024, he conducted the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras Wind Symphony in the world premiere of his “Dust of Snow.” Auflik is currently working on two different commissions that will be premiered in the spring of 2025. Additionally, Auflik was selected as principal tenor saxophone for the College Band Directors National Association Western/Northwestern Division Conference Intercollegiate Honor Band. He is currently a member of the Las Vegas Youth Saxophone Ensemble, CSN Jazz Combo, and CSN Woodwind Ensemble.
Canadian American saxophonist, Jan Berry Baker, has performed as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician on many of the world’s great stages. An advocate of cross-disciplinary collaborations and community engagement, she is Co-Artistic Director of chamber ensemble, Bent Frequency. She and percussionist Stuart Gerber have commissioned over 50 new
works for saxophone and percussion and have given countless performances of these news across the US, Mexico, Germany, and France. Jan regularly performs with the LA Philharmonic and was the principal saxophonist for almost two decades with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Festival Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, Atlanta Ballet, and Atlanta Opera. She has also performed with the Chicago and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras. Jan’s recording projects include chamber music albums on the Centaur, New Focus, and Albany labels, as well as Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina with the LA Phil, American Orchestral Works with the Grant Park Orchestra and Atlanta Opera’s world premiere recording of The Golden Ticket. As an educator, Jan is Professor of Saxophone, Woodwind Area Head, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Department of Music and Special Assistant to the Dean for Faculty Mentoring at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA. Highly sought after as a masterclass teacher and speaker, she has given presentations on contemporary music, nonprofits and grant writing, community engagement, socially conscious programming, career development and mentoring. Jan is a founding member of the Committee on the Status of Gender Equity in the North American Saxophone Alliance and the CGE Mentoring Program. She earned a Doctor of Music degree from Northwestern University and is a Selmer Paris, Vandoren, and Key Leaves performing artist.
Joe Baldry from Harrogate, England is a first year mechanical engineering student at Cal State Long Beach. He studies with John Hallberg and has previously studied with Matt Richards. He currently plays 2nd alto saxophone with the Bob Cole Wind Symphony but has previously played with the Colburn School Wind Ensemble.
Dustin Barr is the Director of Wind Studies and Associate Professor of Music at California State University, Fullerton, where he leads the university’s comprehensive band program. He conducts the acclaimed University Wind Symphony and University Band, oversees the graduate wind conducting program, and teaches courses in conducting and music education. Prior experiences include appointments as Assistant Director of Bands at Michigan State University, Director of Bands at Mt. San Antonio College, and Assistant Director of Bands at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, California. .Barr’s accomplishments have garnered wide recognition, including winning Second Prize of the 2024 American Prize in Conducting and Second Prize of the 2024 American Prize in Collegiate Wind Band Performance. His leadership of the CSUF University Wind Symphony has resulted in prestigious performances at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) conferences at both national (2019) and regional (2024) levels, as well as a headlining performance at the 2023 California All State Music Education Conference. The University Wind Symphony’s 2022 album, Effigy, is another notewor-
Presenter Bios
thy achievement. This album features the music of composer Brian Baumbusch and was the result of innovative musical practices and remote recording projects undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has appeared as guest conductor of leading municipal bands in Valencia and Almería, Spain. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting from the University of Michigan, and both Master and Bachelor of Music degrees from California State University, Fullerton. His principal mentors include Michael Haithcock and Mitchell Fennell.
James Barrera has been active as a performer and teacher in Southern California for over 20 years. He has performed throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County region as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer. In demand as a teacher and clinician, James is Lecturer of Saxophone at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach where he has taught since 2005. He has adjudicated for the MTNA State and National competitions and was host for the NASA Region II Conference and premiered numerous works for saxophone including those by Ida Gotkovsky and Mischa Zupko. His primary teachers include Leo Potts, Dr. Otis Murphy, Dr. Douglas Masek, and Dr. Jan Berry-Baker. James holds degrees from California State University, Long Beach, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and is currently pursuing a DMA at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music where he is researching the effect materials have on saxophone acoustics.
Christopher Basham is from Clovis, California and is a 1st-year transfer Music Education student at CSU Long Beach. He is currently studying with Jay Mason and has previously studied with Paul Lucckesi, Tim Shaghoian, and Ross Williams. He plays baritone saxophone in the Bob Cole Wind Symphony and Studio Jazz Band.
Taima Bati has just graduated from California State University Long Beach with her degree in music performance as well as a second degree in Classical Archeology. She is someone who’s more interested in things from a hundred years ago rather than today’s modern age; more specifically, she mainly plays transposed baroque and classical music for saxophone and has begun learning classical ancient Greek music.
Trevor Beach is an award winning classical guitarist based out of Glendale, Arizona. Studying under Charles Hulihan, he has won multiple awards through Maricopa College’s Annual Artist of Promise and performed all around Arizona. Committed to flexibility, Beach is versatile in classical, jazz, and flamenco guitar playing styles and up for any musical challenge to push the art form.
Cody Benner is from Atwater, CA and is currently a music education and saxophone performance major
at CSU Long Beach. He currently studies with Jay Mason but has previously studied with James Barrera and Michael Couper. Cody plays 1st alto and soprano saxophones in the Bob Cole Wind Symphony, along with soprano in the University Saxophone Quartet.
David Bernot is an award-winning jazz saxophonist and composer based in Greeley, Colorado. He has quickly made a name for himself as an artist and performer in the Colorado front range as well as abroad. David has performed with many prolific and influential jazz artists throughout his career and schooling including the likes of Carmen Bradford, Bob Mintzer, Lee Konitz, Terrell Stafford, Greg Gisbert, Colin Stranahan, Veronica Swift, and others. During the summer of 2022, David traveled to Carinthia, Austria to compete in the annual International Jazz Award for Saxophone where he took first place, and also received recognition as the audience’s favorite, among other participants from around the world. In March 2022 David Bernot released his debut album Never-Ending Cycle featuring his own compositions performed by a stellar Colorado musician lineup. The recording was released in partnership with Nocturne Productions operated out of Denver’s own homegrown jazz establishment Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club. David is currently attending the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado for a Doctorate in Jazz Composition with a secondary emphasis in classical saxophone.
The Bob Cole Conservatory Saxophone Ensemble is part of a rich tradition of saxophone education and performance at CSU, Long Beach. The ensemble was started by Leo Potts over forty years ago, and has performed at numerous NASA conferences, the World Saxophone Congress, and many other events throughout the United States. Under the direction of Jay Mason since 2007, who was an original member of the ensemble, the group has continued its emphasis of expanding the repertoire for large saxophone groups through commissions, both from within and outside CSULB, as well as embracing new works from all over the globe, including jazz and other popular styles. The BCCM Ensemble continues to receive rave reviews wherever and whenever they are heard, and looks forward to presenting new works at this conference.
Spencer Bowie is a jazz alto saxophonist based in the Orange County and Los Angeles area. Currently pursuing a degree in Jazz Performance and Composition at California State University, Fullerton, he is dedicated to honing his craft both as a performer and composer. Drawing inspiration from legendary saxophonists such as Cannonball Adderley, Phil Woods, Benny Carter, Antonio Hart, and Sherman Irby, Bowie brings a dynamic and expressive voice to his playing.
Benjamin Bradburn is an active performer and music educator based in the Los Angeles area. He strives
Presenter Bios
to innovate music via performance, education, and commissioning of new works. He has commissioned works from composers in both Los Angeles, Atlanta, and his native North Carolina including Austin Ali, Kian Revaei, Sergey Nesterov, and others. As an educator he is an instrumental music teacher with LAUSD and during the summers teaches applied saxophone at Appalachian State University’s Cannon Music Camp to high level high school saxophonists. He is most active as a classical saxophonist and woodwind specialist. His teachers have been Scott Kallestad and Jan Berry Baker.
Described by Jazz Weekly as playing with “Blue Note authority…, a fresh voice worth giving an ear to,” saxophonist Ben Britton is a tenacious jazz musician from the Northwest. He played tenor saxophone on the album Tito Puente Masterworks Live!!! by Bobby Sanabria, which was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album at the 2011 Latin Grammys. He has written two method books for saxophone, which have been endorsed by heavy-hitter saxophonists Dave Liebman, Ben Wendel, Walt Weiskopf, and Charles Pillow. Britton has continued developing a saxophone pedagogy incorporating the most recent findings on saxophone voicing and acoustics published by Mark Watkins and researchers at the University of New South Wales among others. He presented at the International Saxophone Symposium in 2023. He has served as a clinician and guest performer at institutions of higher education across the United States. Britton currently resides in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he is an Associate Professor of Music at the College of Southern Idaho.
Currently based in the Los Angeles area, Branden Brown is a Dallas, Texas-born saxophonist, composer, arranger and music educator. Branden holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California, as well as a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. He studied with saxophonists Bob Mintzer, Brad Leali and Eric Nestler, and studied music composition and arranging with Vince Mendoza. In addition to being an active performer, Branden also scores music for film, with his most recent involved projects being selected for showings at the Los Angeles Animation Festival, DOC NYC, and the Palm Springs 28th International Film Festival. As an educator, Branden teaches the flute, saxophone, and clarinet at the Musicians at Play Foundation’s Band and All-District Orchestra in Inglewood, California. As a Conservatory Teacher at Orange County School of the Arts, Branden conducts the OCSA Jazz Ensemble and teaches Saxophone Masterclass.
Calliope is a reed quintet comprised of current graduate students at Arizona State University. Coached by Dr. Christopher Creviston, Calliope is a stylistic kaleidoscope, aiming to dismantle the barriers of genre and make chamber music accessible to a broader audience. Calliope carries historically informed per-
formance practices to the forefront of contemporary chamber music, with a repertoire that spans from the baroque period to brand-new commissions. Hailing from all across the United States, Calliope’s members hold degrees from University of Michigan, Grand Valley State University, Eastman School of Music, Glendale Community College, Ottawa University, and Arizona State University.
After spending many years away from his native Southern California, saxophonist Christopher Charbonneau recently returned to the Los Angeles area in search of a better balance between performing and educating. Currently maintaining a private studio from his home in Lakewood and the Palos Verdes/Torrance area, Christopher remains active as a soloist, chamber musician, clinician, and adjudicator. Dr. Charbonneau was the featured guest artist for the Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra’s most recent Soiree entitled Musical Legends, presenting a lecture recital on saxophone in the orchestra. Other recent notable performances include an appearance as a guest soloist with the LBCC Symphony Orchestra, premiering the orchestral version of 10 West: 3 Postcards for Alto Saxophone and Piano written by Roger Przytulski. Commissioning and premiering new works for saxophone is a core objective of Duo Charbonneau, a duo formed with his wife and pianist, Hanah Charbonneau. Duo Charbonneau has performed throughout the United States and Europe, premiering works for saxophone and piano by Ida Gotkovsky, Mischa Zupko, Kevin Timothy Austin, Michael Markowski, Gil Dori, and Roger Przyltulski. Christopher completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Performance at Arizona State University in 2015. Christopher also holds a Master of Music degree from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Music degree from California State University at Long Beach. His instructors have included Dr. Michael Hester, Dr. Timothy McAllister, Dr. Otis Murphy, Leo Potts, and Dr. Joseph Wytko.
Hanah Charbonneau is a sought after pianist, collaborator, and teacher who is passionate about working with instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers. Her collaborations and solo engagements have taken her across the United States and Europe. She is a multiple prizewinner of solo and concerto competitions, and appeared as a soloist with renowned chamber group, I Solisti di Perugia in Italy. In addition, she was the competition coordinator for the 7th Bösendorfer and Yamaha USASU International Piano Competitions and recently released an album for Crystal Records with flutist, John Barcellona. Under the heading of technical advisor, she has given instruction to actors on how to authentically portray piano playing for feature film roles. Hanah resides in the Los Angeles area, where she is a collaborator, private instructor, and active member of Duo Charbonneau with saxophonist Christopher Charbonneau.
Presenter Bios
From Irvine, California, Joshua Chen is a first year music education student at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. He currently studies with James Barrera and plays tenor saxophone for the conservatory’s Wind Symphony along with alto saxophone in the University Reed Quintet.
Thomas Colburn is a PhD Candidate in Reinhold Dauskardt’s group in Materials Science and Engineering where he studies rapid methods to generate metal oxide thin films and nanomaterials for solar cells, batteries, and capacitors. He received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at Stanford University graduating with Honors and Distinction in 2020. He is a member of Prof. David Henderson’s studio and saxophone quartets along with being active in the Stanford Wind Symphony as saxophone section leader.
Paul Cotton (he/him) is a Southern California-based saxophonist celebrated for his dynamic performances and commitment to music education. He has performed at renowned venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, the Seoul Performing Arts Center, and the Redlands Bowl, and has collaborated with esteemed ensembles like the IU New Music Ensemble. A passionate advocate for contemporary music, Paul frequently premieres works by living composers and actively participates in major conferences. Paul’s competitive achievements include winning the Busan International Competition, the LISMA International Competition in New York, and the Grand Prize in the American Protégé Competition. Dedicated to fostering inclusivity, Paul nurtures a love for both jazz and classical music in his teaching. He has presented on saxophone pedagogy for band directors at the SCSBOA Conference and is highly sought after as a woodwind instructor throughout Southern California. He holds degrees from CSU Long Beach (BM) and Indiana University (MM), studying under distinguished instructors such as Dr. Otis Murphy and James Barrera.
Dr. Colin Crake is a saxophonist, pedagoge, and arts administrator based in Boulder, Colorado. Presenting a wide variety of aesthetics, from baroque transcriptions to world premieres, Colin’s programs reflect his passion for promoting the saxophone as an instrument worth serious consideration in the classical music industry. Colin is a multi-award-winning saxophonist, having received prizes at the national and international levels. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the Conservatoire Royale de Bruxelles.
Yamaha Artist Christopher Creviston has been featured in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to Paisley Park and the Apollo Theater. As soloist and with the Capitol Quartet, Creviston has been showcased with outstanding ensembles across the U.S., including the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore
Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Creviston’s recent releases include the premiere recordings of the Soprano Saxophone Concerto by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Carter Pann, and the Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Band by Pulitzer Winner William Bolcom. The Creviston Duo’s recordings include the CDs Phoenix Rising and Breaking, presenting works specifically commissioned/co-commissioned by the duo from composers Stacy Garrop, Carter Pann, John Anthony Lennon, Mark Lanz Weiser, Katherine Hoover, John Fitz Rogers and Eric Mandat. Now professor at Arizona State University, Creviston has held faculty positions at the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam), the Greenwich House of Arts (NYC), the University of Windsor (Canada), and the University of Michigan, and he serves on the faculty of the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop. Creviston is Past President of the North American Saxophone Alliance.
Hannah Creviston is Clinical Associate Professor at Arizona State University where she is Director of Piano Pedagogy and the ASU Community Music School, and Coordinator for Class Piano. Frequent workshop topics include Music Learning Theory, teaching music to children with special needs, the importance of movement in teaching rhythm and piano music by composers killed in the Holocaust. Prior to joining the ASU faculty in the fall of 2012, she was on the faculty at the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam. As a collaborative pianist, she has performed in festivals and competitions throughout the United States and abroad, and she performs regularly in a duo with her husband, saxophonist Christopher Creviston. Together, they have recorded Snell Sessions and Columbia Sessions, both on the Albany Records label, Sunday Afternoon and Breaking available through CD Baby and Phoenix Rising and reminiscences on the Blue Griffin label.
The CSUF Saxophone Choir, under the direction of John Hallberg, is made up of music education and music performance majors at California State University, Fullerton. The CSUF Titan Saxophone Ensemble will be making their NASA debut at the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 2 Conference at CSUF.
Ben Curley is a dedicated and passionate young saxophonist currently in his last year at San Marcos High School, where he has pursued a path of his own academic and musical growth. A student of Dr. Dan Graser, he has seriously studied from the saxophone’s history to its most contemporary techniques to prepare himself to enter the world of collegiate musicianship and membership in the saxophone community. Throughout his high school career, Ben has performed in a myriad of ensembles, participating as a soloist in his school’s Salsa Band to earning the 1st Alto/Soprano chair in the SCSBOA All-Southern Wind Ensemble. Most notably, he resides as the
Presenter Bios
Co-Principal Saxophone with the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, acknowledging the role that his connections have in his music development. Kevin Day is an internationally acclaimed composer, conductor, and jazz pianist currently based near Toronto, Canada. His music has been performed by some of the world’s top instrumental soloists, wind bands, chamber ensembles, and symphony orchestras. He is the recipient of a MacDowell Fellowship for Music Composition and a winner of the BMI Composer Award.
Armaan Diwan is a 10th-grade saxophonist with six years of experience, passionate about his instrument. With experience in both classical and jazz music, he is in his fourth year at the Orange County School of the Art, his third year with the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles program, and his first year as a part of the Colburn jazz program. With experience on soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones, he values the opportunity to explore a wide range of styles and techniques. He currently studies saxophone privately with Dr. John Hallberg.
Duo Charbonneau was initially formed to present a concurrent world premiere of Ida Gotkovsky’s Incandescence pour Saxophone Ténor et Piano in 2012. Subsequent performances of this work throughout France and Germany solidified the duo’s collaboration. The duo takes pride in working closely with upcoming and established composers on new works for saxophone and piano. These interactions have led to new works by composers such as Kevin Timothy Austin, Gil Dori, Michael Markowski, and Roger Przytulski with premiere and repeat performances around the United States. Duo Charbonneau had the pleasure of premiering the orchestral arrangement of Roger Przytulski’s 10 West: 3 Postcards for Alto Saxophone & Piano with the LBCC Orchestra in 2022. The following year the duo presented a lecture recital for the Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra’s fall Soirée, as part of their Musical Legends series. This led to a repeat performance of Przytulski’s orchestral arrangement of 10 West in 2024 with the HBSO. Duo Charbonneau relocated from Phoenix to the Los Angeles area in 2020.
The ECHO Quartet is a young chamber ensemble based in the San Francisco Bay Area that is committed to empowering the saxophone quartet as a true voice in classical music. Since the group’s inception, they have provided audiences across the United States and Germany with a unique chamber music experience, characterized by their colorful repertoire, rich tone quality, and intriguing interpretation of music, new and old. Recognized for their accomplishments, the ensemble has received first prize in both the Charleston International Music Competition as well as the King’s Peak International Music Competition. In addition to this, members of the ensemble have been recognized as winners of the MTNA
California Young Artist Competition, CAPMT Concerto Competition, and the Chamber Music Silicon Valley Emerging Artist Fellowship.
Pianist Andrew Edwards has maintained an active performance schedule as both soloist and collaborative pianist over the past decade. Andrew received his BM in Piano Performance from the University of Southern California-Thornton School of Music where he studied with Jeffrey Kahane and was awarded both the Undergraduate Bachelor of Music Performance Award in Piano and the Keyboard Studies Ensemble Award. Currently, he is a candidate for the Master of Music in Piano Performance at USC, where he is continuing his studies with Kahane. He currently serves as collaborative pianist for the instrumental area at California State University, Fullerton. Andrew’s interest in music extends to exploring diverse styles of music, improvisation, arranging, and music production.
Hayden Eighmy is the Woodwind Specialist at Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts and maintains a private saxophone studio in Henderson, Nevada. He is also a coach for the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras, working with its Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Saxophone Ensemble. Eighmy recently served as the Southern Nevada Band Association Honor Band Saxophone Clinician for both middle and high schools. A former euphoniumist with the Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps, he has been an instructor at multiple Las Vegas high school marching band camps and has served as the Visual Caption Head for the Herriman High School Marching Band in Utah. He has been selected to participate in the 2025 College Band Directors National Association National Intercollegiate Band, and was principal alto saxophonist of the 2024 College Band Directors National Association Western/ Northwestern Division Intercollegiate Band. Eighmy has most recently performed with the Nevada Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of Southern Utah, and Cedar Jazz Dectet. An advocate for new music, Eighmy commissioned and premiered Celestial Mechanics for soprano saxophone and piano by Jacob Lee. Eighmy is currently pursuing an Associate of Arts in Music at the College of Southern Nevada with Dr. Lindsey O’Connor. His past teachers include Bill Leary, Mark McArthur, Travis Pardee, Dr. Adrienne Reed, and John Seaton.
The award-winning Encore Saxophone Quartet is among Los Angeles’ premier performing ensembles. The Quartet was the only American chamber music group selected to perform at the prestigious 2019 Lansum International Music Festival. Formed in 1984 by internationally renowned saxophonist Douglas Masek, the Encore Saxophone Quartet’s wide-ranging repertoire is grouped into exciting shows of familiar repertoire, such as Hollywood and The Great American Songbook, the more erudite Classic Sax and Jazz Sax, or for those who want to hear a little of everything, Encore Eclectic is the program for you!
Presenter Bios
All members of the Quartet are distinguished soloists and chamber music artists who perform nationally and internationally. Furthermore, they are dedicated educators that lead inspiring and educational outreach programs, coach chamber music, and mentor the next generation of emerging artists. The Quartet’s unique blending of innovative and diverse programming, along with informal narrative, transports its listeners on a musical journey that exhibits the many colorful possibilities encompassing the sound spectrum of the saxophone in a quartet setting.
Juan Carlos Entrambasaguas is a saxophone performer and music educator interested in Contemporary and Classical Music. He has been developing his artistic activity in Finland, Spain and the United States. Juan Carlos performed as a soloist and with chamber music groups. He taught master classes and played with different Artists at high-performance levels. Juan Carlos has a Master’s degree in Classical Saxophone Performance from the University of the Arts of Helsinki, studying with saxophonist Joonatan Rautiola. He currently holds a teaching position as a woodwind instructor at the San Francisco Community Music Center. During January of 2024, he performed a recital with the pianist Casey Dierlam Tse at the International Saxophone Symposium, hosted by the United States Navy Band in Fairfax, VA. He has played as a soloist with the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra, Youth Orchestra of Salamanca (Spain), Helsinki Saxophone Orchestra, ‘SaxibA Ensemble.’
As one of the country’s youngest emerging multimedia artists, Gracie Fagan (she/her) experiments with human perception to comment on the intersectionality of identity and pop culture. Gracie combines audio, projection, performance art, theatre, and dance to create immersive performances and environments not typically found in the traditional concert hall setting. Her pieces continue to be selected for showcase in national conferences, including the SHE Festival for Women in Music, Electronic Music Midwest Festival, the International Women Composer’s Festival of Hartford, the Eugene Difficult New Music Ensemble, and completing a residency with the Walden school. She has received multiple grants to further her work. Her most recent projects include completing a residency at the TANK Center for the Sonic Arts in Rangely Colorado, as well as performing on the CU Boulder SoundWorks series, and in the CU Boulder ATLAS Institute Black Box. She is also a founding member of the Fu3e Ensemble - a new media performance group out of Denver CO. Gracie is currently teaching composition and music technology at the University of Colorado at Boulder while pursuing her Master of Music degree and received her Bachelor of Music Composition degree from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 2023.
Joel Ferst is a multi-disciplinary experimental performance artist, improviser, composer, and educator,
pushing the boundaries of both the saxophone and technology. A native of Florida, he is currently a doctoral student and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Colorado Boulder. As co-founder and co-artistic director, he has helped establish SoundMap in Austin, now recognized as Texas’ premier contemporary chamber ensemble. He has performed as an improviser and soloist at Brazil’s Plurisons Music Festival and recently completed artistic residencies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Federal University of Paraíba in João Pessoa, Brazil, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. A dedicated advocate for new music, he has premiered over forty new works for saxophone.
Nelson Flores is an award winning classical guitarist based out of Glendale, Arizona. Studying under Charles Hulihan, he has won multiple awards through Maricopa College’s Annual Artist of Promise and performed all around Arizona. Flores is committed to excellence and flexibility in multiples styles.
Acclaimed for her effortless musicality, impassioned lyricism, and unique artistry, Sophia Flores is a Latina, California-based classical saxophonist and music educator, captivating audiences with her thrilling performances and her warm, melodious, and vibrant soloistic voice. Sophia obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Saxophone Performance from Concordia University Irvine. She is currently based in Los Angeles, where she is continuing her education for her Masters of Music in Saxophone Performance at the University of Southern California.
From the Gene Harris to the Villa Celimontana Jazz Festivals, five World Saxophone Congresses and fifteen countries around the world, FOUR is received by exuberant audiences for their impeccable performances of music written or arranged by Mark Watkins. A unique synergy truly exists amongst the members of FOUR. FOUR was selected to perform on the “All-Star” concert of best performances at the World Saxophone Congress in St. Andrews, Scotland in 2012 and Strasbourg, France in 2015. In addition to FOUR’s performance schedule, they have worked residencies at institutions such as Ransit University, Thailand; The University of the Philippines; and Landeshauptstadt Hannover Musikschule, Germany. Their music has gained in popularity, being performed by professional, university, and advanced secondary schools around the world. FOUR has recorded five albums with much positive review from Frank Bongiorno, Ed Calle, Jeff Coffin, Gordon Goodwin, and others. Their printed music is available on ejazzlines. com, and their recordings on jazzhangrecords.com. More information on the quartet can be found on markwatkinssaxophone.com/FOUR.
The GCC Saxophone Choir consists of saxophone music majors at Glendale Community College/Ottawa University in Glendale, AZ. Glendale Community
Presenter Bios
College (GCC) recently received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). GCC is the only community college admitted this year as well as being the first and only accredited community college in the state of Arizona. Only the three state universities in Arizona are also accredited by NASM.
Rachael Geiger is a clarinetist from El Mirage, Arizona. She attended Glendale Community College where she received her Associates in Fine Arts with an emphasis in music and is currently working towards her Bachelors degree in Secondary Music Education. She studies under Dr. Stefanie Gardner and is a part of many ensemble groups including one of the largest bass clarinet choirs in the United States. She has performed many contemporary works and bases her musical philosophy on shining light on under-represented composers.
Dr. Dave Gerhart, Assistant Marketing Manager, Education for the Yamaha Corporation of America and Lecturer of Percussion at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU, Long Beach, is a nationally recognized performer, composer, and educator. He is originally from Fairfield, California, and holds a D.M.A. from the University of Southern California in Percussion Performance with a secondary emphasis in Music Education, Ethnomusicology, and Music Industry & Technology. He received a M.M. in Percussion Performance and Instrumental Conducting and a B.M. in Music Education from California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Gerhart has been featured on CDs with the Robin Cox Ensemble, Steven Hartke, and Gabriela Ortiz. As a freelance musician, Dave has performed under Gustavo Dudamel, Zubin Mehta, Carl St. Clair, among others. His principal teachers include Dr. Michael Carney, Erik Forrester, Brad Dutz, and Raynor Carroll, principal percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. His steel drum ensemble, the Island Hoppin’ Steel Drum Band, performs throughout Southern California. Dave serves on the Board of Advisors and the World Percussion Committee for the Percussive Arts Society.
The Gold Line Quartet is named after the Foothill Gold Line, a Los Angeles light rail extension that spans from Azusa across the I-210 freeway to Union Station and beyond. At the core of our music lies a dedication to excellence, authenticity, and virtuosity. We believe in the transformative power of music and its ability to provide solace from the hustle, evoke emotions, and create unforgettable moments. Our performances are not just about notes and rhythms; they are stories, experiences, and a tribute to the musicians who have gone before us. Since its founding in 2022, the group has played across Southern California from San Diego to Los Angeles for public and private events including the Los Coyotes Country Club, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Los Angeles National History Museum, and Boston Court Pasadena.
The Golden Coast Saxophone Quartet is a newly formed quartet piece featuring four high schoolers who each share a passion for the world of saxophone. They will perform for both Oxford Academy and Kennedy High school’s concerts in the following months, and they also plan on competing in competitions such as the Coltman Chamber Music Competition and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Edward Goodman has received awards of regional and national acclaim, including first prize of the North American Saxophone Alliance Solo Competition, and winner of Michigan State University’s and University of Michigan’s concerto competitions. His debut album, Liminal, has been considered “diabolically brilliant” (Fanfare Magazine), and whose interpretations are “to become standard” (The Saxophonist). He co-founded the internationally recognized saxophone sextet, The Moanin’ Frogs, winners of the 2018 M-Prize Chamber Competition, and has performed in notable chamber ensembles such as PRISM and the Donald Sinta Quartet. He regularly performs in the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Goodman is the Associate Professor of Saxophone at The University of Arizona School of Music, and endorses Conn-Selmer, D’Addario Woodwinds, and Key Leaves products.
Ian Gunnarschja is a master’s student at the University of Colorado, Boulder, pursuing a saxophone performance and pedagogy degree under Dr. Nathan Mertens. Originally from Oklahoma, Ian earned a bachelor’s degree in saxophone performance at Southwestern Oklahoma State University while studying under Dr. Matthew Tracy.
Hannah Hafalia is an award winning flutist based in Phoenix, Arizona. She has won multiple awards for her solo works in the Arizona Flute Society Competition and Maricopa College’s Artist of Promise Competition. Some of her notable performances include the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, and NFL Experience, as well as having the honor to perform for the likes of Jasmine Choi, Viviana Guzmán, and Emily Skala. Hafalia is currently set to graduate with a degree in music education from Ottawa University this spring.
Austin Hailey is a saxophonist from Granite Bay, California. He is currently a first year Music-Education and Saxophone Performance Student at UCLA studying with Dr. Jan Berry Baker. Austin’s musical accomplishments include performing as a finalist in the 2024 Houston Underground Saxophone Competition, being awarded the Capitol Pops Student Scholarship Program, and being selected as the Division 1 winner of the Auburn Symphony Young Artist Concerto Competition. Austin has performed with ensembles in notable venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Royal Festival Hall. Along with his performance accomplishments, Austin has had the pleasure of studying with renowned saxophonists including Otis Murphy,
Presenter Bios
Ricardo Martinez, David Stambler, John Hallberg, and Joseph Lulloff.
John Hallberg is an accomplished saxophone performer and educator based in Southern California. His career has taken him across the United States, Europe, and Asia, giving recitals and solo performances in venues such as Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, Segerstrom Concert Hall, Mozart Concert Hall of Zuhai, Zipper Concert Hall, Thayer Recital Hall at The Colburn School, and numerous university campuses worldwide. Currently serving as faculty at California State University-Fullerton, The Colburn School, Irvine Valley College, and the Orange County School of the Arts, John has also taught applied saxophone at the University of Southern California. Many of his students have successfully auditioned for prestigious undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs. They have also excelled in North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) solo and chamber music competitions, Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) solo and chamber music competitions, the Fischoff Competition, Houston Underground solo competition, International Saxophone Academy competition, and All-State and All-Southern California honor bands. He actively participates in saxophone festivals and music conventions, regularly attending NASA conferences, World Saxophone Conferences, and frequently receives invitations as a guest artist to teach and perform at various musical events across the country and abroad. While residing in Southern California, he maintains a schedule of clinics and lectures and performs for local schools and throughout the community. John received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance with minors in Music Theory and Analysis, Music Technology, and Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California. He also holds a Master of Arts degree from The University of Iowa, and a Bachelor of Music degree from The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University-Long Beach. John is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Vandoren Artist and performs on Yamaha saxophones and Vandoren Equipment exclusively.
Founding GLQ member Jacob Hallman is a performing artist, composer, and author of Ready Set Go: Life Hacks for Young Musicians. Hallman has commissioned new works by Cheryl Bocanegra, Michael E. Anderson, Joshua D. Peterson, and Christian Lauba. Hallman also produced a jazz quartet album titled In the Hall featuring pop hits like Super Mario Bros., Virtual Insanity, and original compositions. In 2015, Hallman created an EP release with Bordeaux-based Trio Aqmo with beatbox, saxophone, and piano. He has performed in Argentina, France, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Thailand, and the United States. Today, he regularly performs classical works at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia, CA.
Joshua Hayashi-Doyon just graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Music in
Saxophone Performance having studied with Dr. Michael Hernandez. Over the years of study, Joshua has attended the Baltic Sax Institute in Germany with the Rascher Quartet and the experience as well as Dr. Hernandez’s dedication to the Rascher tradition has been life changing. He seeks to dedicate his research and further study the life of Sigurd Rascher and the many pieces that were dedicated to the influential Saxophonist. Furthermore, Joshua is a multifaceted individual active in many musical genres- in addition to being a Saxophonist he is an active Jazz musician, Clarinet player and a Flautist.
David Henderson has degrees from the University of Michigan and the Juilliard School. His teachers include Larry Teal, Donald Sinta, Joseph Allard and Jean-Marie Londeix. In 1980, he gave his Carnegie Recital Hall solo debut as a winner of the East and West Artists competition. In 1981, he received a first prize in saxophone from the Conservatoire de Bordeaux as a recipient of a Fulbright-ITT grant to study in France. Since moving to San Francisco in 1988, he has played regularly with the San Francisco Symphony, Opera, and Ballet, including many tours and recordings under maestro Michael Tilson Thomas. He has toured with the BBC Symphony under Andrew Davis and performed with the New World Symphony, the Bolshoi Ballet and Orchestra, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the Russian National Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cabrillo Festival and the International Contemporary Ensemble under John Adams. He has appeared as soloist with the San Francisco Symphony, the Oakland/East Bay Symphony and the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony and plays regularly with the Sun Valley Summer Music Festival and the NapaValley Music Festival. In 1989, he joined the San Francisco Saxophone Quartet as tenor saxophonist and keyboard player. In 2005, he joined the Premiere Saxophone Quartet, artists-in-residence at San José State University. He has worked as a musician at Disney World and Great America theme parks, and played both on and off-Broadway, including the original productions of Nunsense and March of the Falsettos. He currently teaches saxophone at The San Francisco Conservatory as well as Stanford University.
Dr. Sarah Hetrick is a saxophonist and educator based in Northwest Arkansas. She is the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Arkansas and a faculty member for the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop. Hetrick is frequently invited to teach and perform at schools throughout the United States, including the University of Iowa, the University of Minnesota, Baylor University, and others. Hetrick maintains an active schedule as a solo and chamber musician, performing as a member of the sjel duo, Duo Oenomel, the Lyrique Quintette, and more. Hetrick is an avid performer of new music and has commissioned over 40 new works. Hetrick’s research is published in Contemporary Perspectives on the
Presenter Bios
Legacy of Elise Hall (1853-1924) by Cornell University Press (US) and Leuven University Press (Belgium).
Dr. Andrew Janak is the Instructor of Jazz Saxophone at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO and active saxophonist/composer/arranger/ educator throughout the Midwest and Mountain West. Andrew has shared the stage with jazz greats Phil Woods and Jimmy Heath and recorded with Randy Brecker, Jeff Hamilton. Recently he has worked with some of the Midwest’s finest jazz musicians such as Mitch Towne, Marcus Lewis, Peter Schlamb, Bob Lark’s Alumni Band Band, among others. He also has performed/recorded with national acts such as the Temptations, Aloe Blacc, Johnny Mathis, Wayne Brady, Michael Feinstein and Justin Townes Earle. He has released several albums of original compositions/ arrangements including his latest project “Colobraska Band” in December 2024. Andrew graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a masters of music in jazz composition from DePaul University, and a DMA in jazz studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Shido Kamai has been selected as a member of CASMEC California All-State Honor Band, SCSBOA All-Southern Honor Band, and Music for All Honor Band of America. He currently studies saxophone privately with Dr. John Hallberg.
Abby Kellems is a composer, pianist, and occasional tuba player based in Colorado. Her work explores the images and intricacies of the natural world, and she focuses on creating musical experiences that facilitate a deeper relationship between listeners, performers, and the environment. She completed her Bachelor’s of Music in Music Composition at the University of Oregon, where she studied with David Crumb and Robert Kyr. She received the Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Awards in the areas of Music Theory and Composition from the UO School of Music and Dance, and graduated summa cum laude. Kellems was also selected for the University of Oregon’s Humanities Undergraduate Research Fellowship. She completed her Master’s in Music in Music Composition at the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she taught aural skills and studied with Annika Socolofsky and Michael Theodore. She received the Graduate Composer Award for her art song L’onde tremble comme une moire, which was commissioned by the Fauré Centennial Festival.
Kodachrome is a multi award-winning saxophone quartet that was founded by four graduate students from Arizona State University. Since forming in 2022, Kodachrome has been awarded First Prize in the 10th Coltman Chamber Music Competition, 10th Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and the Gold Medal at the 50th Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. In August 2023, Kodachrome traveled to Chengdu, China to perform as a representative of the U.S. in
the Chengdu International Sister City Music Festival. Since then, Kodachrome has traveled across the US to give concerts and provide educational outreach.
The Las Vegas Youth Saxophone Ensemble is comprised of auditioned middle school, high school, and college students from southern Nevada. Founded in August 2018 and led by Artistic Director Dr. Lindsey O’Connor, all members earn credit through the College of Southern Nevada for their participation. Rehearsing once a week, the LVYSE is committed to advancing the appreciation of saxophone ensemble music through outreach concerts featuring a diverse repertoire that educates, inspires, and entertains audiences. Since its creation, the LVYSE has performed at several events and venues including the 2020 NASA Biennial Conference at Arizona State University, the 2019 NASA Region 2 Conference at the University of Arizona, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Nicholas J. Horn Theatre, Galleria at Sunset, New Orleans Square Las Vegas, and Family Music Centers Academy Theatre.
Cellist Nathan Christopher Le is a recent graduate of the New England Conservatory/Harvard dual-degree program, where he was a student of Laurence Lesser. Prior to his studies in Boston, he studied with Ronald Leonard at the Colburn Music Academy and with Ruslan Biryukov. A Los Angeles native, Nathan has performed with many orchestras in the Los Angeles area, such as the Torrance Symphony, the Culver City Symphony, the San Fernando Valley Symphony, the New West Symphony, and the Dana Point Symphony, performing cello concerti by Elgar, Haydn, Saint-Saëns, and Tchaikovsky. He has also garnered top prizes in competitions such as the Janigro International Cello Competition in Zagreb, Croatia, the Tchaikovsky International Competition for Young Musicians in Moscow, Russia, the Stulberg International String Competition in Kalamazoo, MI, and the Schadt String Competition in Allentown, PA. Nathan is also a dedicated chamber musician whose groups have performed works by composers as diverse as Felix Mendelssohn and Mieczysław Weinberg. In May of 2022, he had the opportunity to perform Schubert’s Piano Trio in E-flat Major, D 929, in the New England Conservatory Chamber Music Gala Concert, which was held in the historic Jordan Hall. In the chamber music setting, Nathan has worked with esteemed coaches such as Merry Peckham, Vivian Weilerstein, Yeesun Kim, Pei-Shan Li, and the members of the Parker Quartet.
Bonson Lee currently resides in Tempe, AZ, and teaches in the Phoenix area including being the Adjunct Professor of Saxophone, Chamber Ensembles, and Humanities at Glendale Community College & Ottawa University, the Saxophone Technician for the Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band, the Woodwind Caption Head/Instructor of Saxophone, Chamber Ensembles, and Saxophone Choir at
Presenter Bios
Campo Verde High School, and the Instructor of Saxophone, Chamber Ensembles, and Saxophone Orchestra at Mountain Ridge High School. As an active musician, Lee has performed and competed in many competitions and events, including being awarded prizes in the solo and chamber rounds throughout his music career, recently including the Gold Medal at the 50th Fischoff Chamber Music Competition with his saxophone quartet, Kodachrome. Lee earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at Arizona State University in 2023. Lee also earned a Master of Music from Arizona State University Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts School of Music in 2020 and a Bachelor’s of Music Education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Music in 2017. His former saxophone teachers include Dr. Christopher Creviston, Mark McArthur, John Seaton, and Eric Maine.
Jayden Lee has been a saxophonist for five years, participating in Oxford Academy’s wind ensemble as the principal alto saxophonist. He has experience in the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, LA Phil Youth Concert Band, and both the all-state and all-southern bands. He received first prize in the Southwestern Youth Music Festival, MTNA state-level, and American Protege. He currently studies saxophone privately with Dr. John Hallberg.
Jiaju Liu is a senior at Stanford University studying Computer Science; Science, Technology, and Society; and Neuroscience. He enjoys performing classical and contemporary works with his sax quartet. Jiaju studies under Mr. David Henderson.
Christian Longoria is a saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer currently based and active in the Denver music scene. Christian has performed and taught internationally, most recently travelling to the Dominican Republic to perform the music of Socrates Garcia with the Compass Jazz Orchestra. He has also recently played and recorded with Carmen Bradford of the Count Basie Orchestra on the upcoming release Carmen Sings Carmen, and performed with Bradford at the 2024 Jazz Education Network Conference. Having earned his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado, Christian can be found in the Northern Colorado area leading his own groups playing original music, as well as a sideman in numerous other groups, including the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra.
Dr. Isaac López is a multifaceted saxophonist in the Los Angeles community. He has an active performing career with a variety of ensembles, including: symphony orchestras (San Francisco Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic, Modesto Symphony, Stockton Symphony, Music in the Mountains, Bear Valley Symphony); saxophone quartets (Gold Line Quartet and TC4); a recently formed piano trio reinterpreting the classical and romantic canon through the lens of the saxophone; and his duo (López and
Jaramillo), commissioning and showcasing works by contemporary classical composers from throughout Latin America. Dr. López currently serves as the Jazz Ensemble Director (Los Angeles Music and Art School, and Musicians at Play); Saxophone Teaching Artist with Harmony Project of Los Angeles; and Private Instructor.
Sal Lozano is a member of The Tom Kubis Big Band and was a founding member of Gordon Goodwin’s critically acclaimed Grammy Award Winning Big Phat Band. Sal can be heard on numerous movie soundtracks including Joker, West Side Story, Crazy Rich Asians, Incredibles 2, among many others. He frequently occupies the principal chair at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.and shows include Newsies, Follies, Grey Gardens, The Drowsy Chaperone, Chicago, Caroline or Change and Edward Scissorhands. He is a student of Greg Adams, Leo Potts, John Barcelona, Jim Walker, and Jim Kanter. Sal is professor of Saxophone USC Thornton School of Music and is also a Teaching Artist with Disney’s Imagination Campus where he takes students through a 90 minute recording session to experience the many aspects of playing music for film.
Miles Luong-Gonzales is a versatile saxophonist with a passion for both classical and jazz performance. Whether interpreting intricate classical repertoire or exploring the expressive possibilities of improvisation, Miles brings a distinctive voice to the stage. When not performing or refining their craft, they can often be found unwinding with a cup of coffee and the company of a friendly cat.
Dr. Joseph S. Lyons is a performing artist, composer, arranger, educator, and artistic designer who specializes in experimental applications of music technology. A dynamic multi-instrumentalist who plays a variety of woodwind, brass, string, and electronic instruments, he is drawn to the physical transformation of sound and researches new methods for creatively inducing and interpreting this phenomenon. Since 2022, he has regularly premiered solo and chamber works in this genre at conferences including NASA, the US Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, the American Single Reed Summit, and The NAMM Show. He is currently the Winds & Visual Caption Head for Rhythm IN BLUE (the Bluecoats’ SoundSport ensemble), having previously been cast as the featured saxophone soloist in their 2023 production “The House.” Dr. Lyons is a member of the Society of Pi Kappa Lambda and holds degrees from the University of Georgia (BME), Georgia State University (MM), Stephen F. Austin State University (PAC), and the University of South Carolina (DMA).
Gavin Martellotti is a saxophonist, conductor, and composer based in Boulder Colorado. Gavin is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder
Presenter Bios
studying under Dr. Nathan Mertens. As a saxophonist, Gavin has won the Colorado State Music Teacher’s National Association competition and the University of North Florida’s Concerto competition, appearing as a soloist with the UNF Wind Symphony. Gavin has performed in masterclasses for Timothy McAllister, Taimur Sullivan, and Kenta Saito. In addition to his saxophone performing Gavin has also appeared as a conductor with the University of North Florida’s Concert band numerous times in concert. Gavin earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance and Conducting Certificate from the University of North Florida.
Ricardo Martinez maintains an active performing and teaching career in Northern California. Martinez has been a featured soloist with the Mission Chamber Orchestra of San José, Stanford Summer Symphony, University of the Pacific Wind Band, the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Cergy-Pontoise Wind Ensemble in France and the Mitaka City Orchestra in Japan. In addition, Martinez regularly performs with symphonies and festivals including the San Francisco Symphony, California Symphony, Classical Tahoe Music Festival, Sun Valley Music Festival, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, and has recorded at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County. As an educator, Martinez serves as Assistant Professor of Practice in Saxophone at University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music.
Jay Mason has become one of the Los Angeles’ areas busiest saxophonists and woodwind artists since launching his career in 1983, after graduating from CSU, Long Beach. His performance credits include work with Johnny Mathis, Michael Finestein, Michael McDonald, Seth McFarlane, Chaka Kahn, Bernadette Peters, among others. He has appeared on recordings for the motion pictures Soul, Frozen & Frozen 2, Moana & Moana 2, Shaft, LaLa Land, Secret Life of Pets, Crazy Rich Asians, among others. Additionally, he is a member of Gordon Goodwin’s Grammy-winning Big Phat Band, and rounds out his activities by serving on the faculty where he started out, CSU Long Beach, at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, and at Concordia University in Irvine.
Isaac McIntosh is an award winning saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist based out of Phoenix, Arizona. Studying under Dr Bonson Lee at Glendale Community College and Ottawa University, he has founded and performed with multiple chamber groups around the state. McIntosh’s performed solo and chamber works have won multiple awards through Maricopa College’s Annual Artists of Promise, and MTNA.
U.S.-based saxophonist Nathan Mertens currently teaches at the University of Colorado Boulder. One of the core tenets of Mertens’ artistry is teaching and performing music that represents and reflects our shared world and current realities. This commit-
ment has led him to commission and premiere 40+ works, with upcoming projects with Anthony R. Green and Zinia Chan. During the 2024-2025 school year, Mertens will perform concertos by Alexandra Gardner, Cecilia McDowell, and Viet Cuong, and will embark on two recital tours: one in the Midwest with Kenta Saito and Tomoko Kashiwagi to celebrate Japanese saxophone, and another in the UK with saxophonist Gillian Blair. Moreover, as a queer individual and a former scholar in Japan, Mertens’ performance output centers around uplifting and highlighting Japanese composers and LGBTQIA2S+ composers.
Mat Miles has worked with a variety of groups as a freelance musician, including The Shirelles, Rick Sheppard and the Drifters, bassist Brian Bromberg, saxophonist Ed Calle, and guitarist Corey Christiansen. He has performed at the Grand Teton Music Festival backing up artists Dee Daniels, Byron Stripling, and Audra McDonald. He also toured with BYU’s top jazz ensemble Synthesis to Russia and the Baltic States, and performed in bands backing up Teddy Riley, John Faddis, Michael Brecker, and Lisa Wilson. He has also toured internationally in other countries, such as with the jazz combo Swing Set in Italy. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in library and information science. He is currently a librarian for Brigham Young University-Idaho, while maintaining an active performance career.
MTV Reeds features the members of the University of the Pacific - Conservatory of Music Saxophone Studio and is coached by Ricardo Martinez. MTV stands for Marcus, Tristan, and Ves, the members of the trio. Marcus Rudes is a sophomore music composition major. Ves Turk is a freshman double major in geological sciences and music. Tristan McMichael is a senior music education major who plans to pursue a master’s in saxophone performance after graduating from the University of the Pacific.
Ben Nichols, saxophonist and composer, has traveled across the globe, performing at large venues, intimate city concerts, and countless jazz festivals throughout North America, South America, and Europe. He is known internationally for his expressive sound and energetic artistic style and is frequently asked to play in many genres. Nichols is currently Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Brigham Young University where he runs the saxophone studio and directs the award-winning jazz ensemble, Synthesis.
Aimee Nolte is a jazz pianist who has been playing the piano since she was a child. She has been performing in various jazz clubs and festivals around the world for many years. Her music is described as having a “unique style” that blends “the classic sounds of jazz with a modern sensibility.” Nolte is considered one of the most talented and versatile jazz pianists of her generation and has released various albums that
Presenter Bios
have all received much critical acclaim. Nolte started a YouTube channel in 2016 that now has over 100K subscribers. She performs all over the LA area and is a highly-sought-after guest artist and clinician in the jazz world.
Dr. Lindsey O’Connor is the Lead Music Faculty & Instructor of Woodwind Studies at the College of Southern Nevada, Woodwinds Paraprofessional for Clark County School District, Artistic Director of the Las Vegas Youth Saxophone Ensemble, and Conductor of the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras Wind Symphony. She frequently serves as an adjudicator and clinician, and has given several master classes, lectures, and solo performances as a guest artist throughout the United States. She is the principal clarinet and saxophone of the Nevada Chamber Orchestra, and has recently played with the Henderson Symphony Orchestra, Vegas City Opera, and in musical productions on the Las Vegas Strip. O’Connor is the Region 2 Director of the North American Saxophone Alliance, Higher Education Chair of the Nevada Music Educators Association, and President of the ΣΑΙ Las Vegas Alumnae Chapter.
Patrick Olmos is a Southern California based saxophonist and music educator. He holds degrees from the Bob Cole Conservatory at California State University - Long Beach (BM), University of Missouri - Kansas City (MM, AC), and Longy School of Music of Bard College (MAT). Patrick is a founding member of Syrinx Reed Quintet, a Southern California-based chamber ensemble and winners of the 2019 Beverly Hills National Auditions. Patrick has received awards in many of the nation’s top solo and chamber music competitions, placing first at the state and regional 2018 MTNA Young Artist’s Competition and winning Third Prize at the national level. An active music educator, Patrick teaches general and instrumental music with the Los Angeles Unified School District Arts Education Branch, where he serves elementary schools throughout Los Angeles.
Established in 2007, Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (PSYWE) made its debut under the direction of Michael J. Corrigan, the well-known music educator and recipient of the “Band Educator of the Year” award from the California Music Educators Association, with support from Larry Woody and the Woody Youth Fund. The 2014-15 season inaugurated the tenure of current music director Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore. Under Dr. Whitmore’s visionary leadership, PSYWE has undertaken numerous commissions and world premieres, and continues to explore new music initiatives. Representing over 28 schools in the SoCal region, PSYWE offers performance opportunities to instrumentalists in grades 9-12 and is one of four youth ensembles offered by Pacific Symphony’s Youth Ensembles program. Each season, PSYWE presents a three-concert series.
Saxophonist Stephen Page has garnered international prominence as one of the leading saxophonist’s of today’s younger generation. Well known for his interpretations of the great original works for saxophone, he has also gained acclaim for his innovative arrangements and performances of the violin repertoire from composers such as Brahms, Faure, Grieg, Franck and Prokofiev, and Bach. He has also furthered the saxophone repertoire through the commissioning of new works from composers such as John Mackey, David Maslanka, David Rakowski, Ida Gotkovsky, David Canfield, Mark Lewis, Gregory Wanamaker, and Marc Mellits, among many others. Stephen has won prizes in no fewer than ten international and national competitions, including 1st Prizes at the North American Saxophone Alliance Solo Competition, Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Competition, AUREC Saxophone Competition and the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition.
Formed in 2019 and based in Southern California, the Pathways Saxophone Quartet is a dynamic chamber ensemble dedicated to exploring the expressive potential of the saxophone quartet. Pathways performs a diverse repertoire, from classical and contemporary works to jazz-influenced and genre-blending compositions. In addition to their engaging performances, the quartet is passionate about music education, frequently presenting masterclasses and outreach programs.
Shawna Pennock has been teaching collegiate saxophone for six years at UNLV where her students have gone on to become music educators, continue to graduate studies in music, and develop a love for making music. She loves to work with high school and middle school saxophonists too. Pennock has won top prizes in competitions: 1st Prizes at the North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition, ENKÖR Chamber Music Competition, Southern Division of Music Teachers National Association Chamber Competition, North Carolina MTNA Chamber Competition, University of Georgia Concerto Competition, the North Carolina MTNA Young Artist Competition.
Bryan Pezzone maintains an active freelance performing and recording career and has been based in the Los Angeles area since 1987. He is known for playing in all genres, equally comfortable in the classical repertoire (including contemporary music and premieres) as in pop/jazz and improvisation. From 1987 to 2000, he was chair and founder of the multi-focused keyboard program at the California Institute of the Arts. He has recorded on innumerable motion-picture and television soundtracks. Beginning in the fall of 2017, Pezzone was asked to join the faculty of the Los Angeles College of Music as a multi-style specialist. He holds a degree from the Eastman School of Music and subsequently spent a year at the
Presenter Bios
Banff Centre in Canada to focus on his own stylistic interplay, philosophies, and originality.
Ariel Perez has been a saxophonist for the past eight years and attends John F. Kennedy High School, where he participates in all of its ensembles.
Olivia Phaneuf is a performer, educator, and arts administrator based in Los Angeles, CA. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Saxophone at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music under the mentorship of Dr. Jan Berry Baker. An active performer, Olivia has appeared at festivals and universities across the United States. She is a founding member of the saxophone quartet Scope and duo MOXIE, where she focuses on collaborative projects that highlight contemporary repertoire and promote diverse voices in music. In addition to performing, Olivia is committed to teaching. Olivia holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Performance from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and a Master of Music in Saxophone from The University of Texas at Austin.
Siobhan Plouffe, from Rochester, NY, is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Saxophone Performance at Arizona State University under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Creviston. At ASU, Siobhan is a teaching assistant for the saxophone studio where she is responsible for providing instruction to undergraduate students and teaching methods classes and also acts as Assistant Director for the ASU Saxophone Choir. She is a founding member of Kodachrome, a multi award-winning saxophone quartet. Most recently, Kodachrome was awarded the prestigious CMA Classical Commissioning Grant to premiere a new work in 2026 by Julie Zhu. Siobhan completed her Master’s degree in Saxophone Performance at Arizona State University and her undergraduate degrees at the Eastman School of Music and University of Rochester in Saxophone Performance and Audio and Music Engineering, respectively. As an engineer, Siobhan has recorded a wide variety of musicians and genres.
Roger Przytulski is an active composer, conductor, and performer in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas who has performed throughout the world. As a composer, his works have been performed by various ensembles throughout the world. In concurrence with these ensembles, he regularly acts as a conductor in clinics, rehearsals, and workshops as well as leading many ensembles in his faculty roles at Long Beach City College and the Orange County School of the Arts. Przytulski is the director of the Long Beach City College Symphony Orchestra and a member of BMI.
Anthony Qin is a dedicated classical saxophonist with over 11 years of experience. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science with a minor in Music at Stanford University, Anthony studies saxophone under the guidance of
David Henderson. Anthony has also made significant contributions to his community through captivating performances. He performed Maslanka’s Concerto for Saxophone and Wind Ensemble with the Stanford Wind Symphony in 2024 and with Saratoga High School in 2023, bringing this powerful work to life.
San Francisco Bay Area saxophonist Elijah Reyes strives to enlighten audiences with his unique musicality and artistry. Winner of the 2023 Young Artist Division of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers Concerto Competition and the 2023 San Jose State University Concerto Competition, Elijah proves to be both an active soloist and chamber musician. As the founding soprano saxophonist of the ECHO Quartet, Elijah has won numerous international chamber music competitions including first prize in both the Charleston International Chamber Music Competition and the King’s Peak International Music Competition. As a contributor to the saxophone community, he is a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance, and continues to be invited to perform at the International Navy Band Saxophone Symposium. Elijah received his bachelor’s degree in saxophone performance from San Jose State University where he has been offered a graduate assistantship to continue his studies with Dr. Michael Hernandez.
Jake Saslow has played tenor saxophone in Michael Bublé’s international touring band since 2010, completing 4 world tours and performing in over 100 cities in 40 countries throughout the world, and appearing on numerous television shows including The Tonight Show, The Today Show, and Good Morning America. Originally from Long Island, New York, Jake spent over a decade living in New York City and collaborating with some of the most recognizable names in the New York jazz scene before relocating to Salt Lake City, Utah in 2020. Jake is an adjunct professor at Westminster University and Utah Valley University and enjoys being active in his local music community as both a performer and educator. Jake holds degrees in jazz studies from Manhattan School of Music (BM), The Thelonious Monk Institute (now the Herbie Hancock Institute) at Loyola University New Orleans (MM), and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in classical saxophone performance at The University of Utah.
Abi Scafidi is a senior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, where she is actively involved in the band program. She serves as the lead alto in the Jazz 1 Ensemble, plays the flute in the Wind Ensemble, and has also taken on the role of drum major in the Marching Band. After graduation, Abi plans to study at Riverside City College before transferring to a university to pursue a degree in Jazz Studies.
Scope Quartet was formed in the fall of 2024 at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music. Scope is focused
Presenter Bios
on intentional programming, accessibility to the arts, and educational outreach. As Gluck Fellows, they perform in diverse community spaces throughout Los Angeles, bringing a wide range of repertoire that spans classical, pop, jazz, and contemporary genres.
Colton Sell is a 23 year old educator and jazz saxophonist from Greeley, Colorado. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a Jazz Emphasis from the University of Northern Colorado in 2024. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Jazz Studies from UNC as well. Colton has had experience playing in many ensembles, both curricular and non-curricular, during his tenure at the University of Northern Colorado. On the classical side, Colton has played saxophone and clarinet for UNC’s concert and symphonic bands, and he conducted the UNC Saxophone Ensemble. Colton’s passion lies in education and sharing his pedagogy with his students. He is an active educator in Northern Colorado and is currently the Woodwind Technician for Eaton High School. Colton also runs a successful private saxophone studio. His students have made several Colorado honor bands, and have been featured soloists in their own endeavors.
What began as a dream in 2022 blossomed into a shared vision, culminating in the creation of the ensemble Four Times Reprisal in October 2023. By October 2024, the group embraced a new identity, adopting the name Sopranos and Baritones. This ensemble is a vibrant collaboration of talented saxophonists from the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). As a non-profit educational organization based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the ensemble offers college-level saxophonists a unique opportunity to participate in a high-caliber music group outside the UNM Department of Music. Membership is open by audition, ensuring that the ensemble is comprised of skilled and committed individuals.
The Solstice Quartet is a saxophone ensemble composed of talented high school musicians from Southern California. Formed in 2022, the group was established to provide its members with an opportunity to perform in a chamber ensemble beyond their school programs. The quartet’s members have earned top chairs in their respective school ensembles and have participated in prestigious ensembles such as the All-State and All-Southern honor bands. Several members also perform with the Pacific Youth Wind Ensemble, a premier youth ensemble in Southern California under the direction of Gregory X. Whitmore. The Solstice Quartet is proud to be part of a consortium for Chris Evan Hass’s piece “Final Boss” and has showcased its artistry at notable events, including the Navy Band Saxophone Symposium in Washington, D.C.
Saxophonist Peter Sommer has contributed his energetic and graceful playing and creative spirit to a wide variety of musical projects ranging from mainstream bebop to classic and contemporary concert music to avant-garde improvisations at venues across the nation and around the world. Peter has released six albums as a leader. Sommer is also active as a concert saxophonist, performing recitals of newly commissioned pieces and masterworks both regionally and abroad. Peter has performed with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony, among others. He has been a featured jazz soloist at North American Saxophone Alliance Regional and Biennial Conferences. He has also performed at IAJE International Conferences in Anaheim and Toronto, Canada, at the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival in South Korea, and has performed at World Saxophone Congresses in Valencia, Spain, Bangkok, Thailand, St. Andrews, Scotland and Strasbourg, France. He is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. He is a D’Addario Woodwinds Artist and performs exclusive on Select Jazz and Reserve Reeds on all of his instruments.
Saxophonist, composer, educator, Joseph David Spence has made a name as an advocate for the saxophone in the concert hall and in his own compositions. A native of Southern California, Spence has performed throughout the United States and internationally in such prestigious concert venues as Meng Concert Hall (Cal State Fullerton), Hatch Recital Hall (Eastman School of Music), He Lu Ting Concert Hall (Shanghai), and Beijing Concert Hall. Spence’s music has been performed throughout the United States including premieres at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, California State University, Fullerton, and The Hartt School.
The Stanford Saxophone Quartet is a collection of four saxophonists from Stanford University, overseen by Mr. David Henderson, The Quartet, which won the Stanford Department of Music’s Glen & Barbara Smerage Chamber Music Performance Prize in 2024, performs a wide variety of classical and contemporary compositions at various recitals each year. In 2023, the Quartet performed Michael Colgrass’s “Urban Requiem” as featured soloists with the Stanford Wind Symphony.
Katie Steffen is a Colorado based performer, engineer, composer, and educator who is passionate about exploring music in a new way. She creates an environment where people can get excited about music they like and explore new music at the same time. Katie is currently a graduate jazz studies student at the University of Northern Colorado after graduating with a BM in jazz studies, a certificate in music technology, and summa cum laude honors in Spring 2024. Her research interests are underrepresented female instrumentalists in jazz, including Vi Redd, Melba
Presenter Bios
Liston, and Alice Coltrane. In addition to graduate school, Katie teaches private saxophone and clarinet lessons to all ages in the northern Colorado area.
Syrinx Woodwind Quintet brings a new voice to the Southern California chamber music scene. Founded in 2018, Syrinx Quintet boasts a versatile and colorful combination of avid teaching artists with backgrounds from all across the nation. Experienced in a wide variety of styles and comfortable in any venue, the ensemble offers bold and innovative repertoire that focuses on uplifting diverse and underrepresented voices.
Zachry Taburaza holds a Master’s in Instrumental Performance degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a concentration in classical saxophone. He also has a Bachelor’s in Saxophone as well as Music Composition from California State University, Long Beach. He has performed and presented at NASA conferences several times. This includes the premier of his saxophone ensemble piece, Chorale, Fugue, and Pops, as well as his presentation Treat Yourself! A Step-by-Step Process on Learning Pop Tunes by Ear, featuring “Tearing Up My Heart” by NSYNC and other songs. Currently, Zachry teaches privately in the cities of Hayward and Fremont within the San Francisco East Bay Area.
Rhonda Taylor is a saxophonist dedicated to the creation of meaningful sonic art. Earlier in her career, she generated new music for the saxophone through the process of seeking out and collaborating with unique modern composers. Over the last decade or so, she has chosen to develop her own creative voice through the art of free improvisation. Her work is focused primarily on exploring the parameters of sound and perception. Although she often performs solo, Taylor has also collaborated with such diverse artists as Jaap Blonk, Kyle Motl, Chris Icasiano, Tara Khozein, Tatsuya Nakatani, Ron Stabinsky, Assif Tsahar, Mark Weaver, and Neil Welch. She has served on faculty at New Mexico State University since 2003, where she is Associate Professor of Saxophone and Music Theory.
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Wesley Taylor is a current Doctor of Music candidate at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studies under Dr. Otis Murphy. As a soloist, Taylor won First Prize in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) State Solo Competition in 2019. He was also awarded First Prize in the MTNA State Chamber Competition in 2017. Taylor performed with the esteemed Eastman Saxophone Project and was the inaugural Director of the Indiana University Saxophone Ensemble. As an administrator, Taylor is currently the Event Services Assistant at the Jacobs School of Music and helps oversee the execution of over 1000 recital programs per school year. Taylor currently holds a Bachelor of Music degree with Distinction in Saxophone Performance from Indiana University as
well as a Master of Music degree in Saxophone from the Eastman School of Music.
The Telesis Academy music program is under the direction of Daniel Jow, who we thank for making this ensemble possible. At Telesis, which is a K-8 school, students can begin saxophone as early as 5th grade and can receive instruction from Mr. Ward on Tuesdays after school. The Telesis Saxophone Academy is an ensemble comprised of the 7th and 8th grade saxophonists, they rehearse every Tuesday and Thursdays during their daily scheduled band class. Students in the ensemble have 1-3 years of experience which creates an engaging learning environment for creating music together.
Dr. Raymond Torres-Santos has a multifaceted career as a composer, conductor, pianist, and arranger, producer, educator and scholar. He is equally comfortable in classical and popular music, and his works span various genres, including orchestral, electronic, and vocal music. He has composed music for the concert hall, ballet, film, theater, television, and radio. His music has been performed, commissioned and/or recorded by various prestigious symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles and singers, throughout the world. Dr. Torres-Santos is currently the director and professor of composition and theory at CSU Long Beach, where he was the Dean of the College of the Arts. He earned a B.A. degree from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, and the University of Puerto Rico, and completed his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in music composition at UCLA. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC) and has served as a judge for the Grammys produced by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
The Titan Saxophone Quartet is made up of students from California State University, Fullerton. All members of the quartet study with Dr. John Hallberg. Formed in the Fall of 2024, the Titan Saxophone Quartet strives to perform new works for saxophone quartet, as well as bring a new perspective to standard repertoire.
Julianna Townley is a Louisiana native with extensive experience as a soloist, chamber musician, and large ensemble performer in both Louisiana and California. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she actively engaged in chamber groups, wind ensembles, and jazz bands, playing both saxophone and flute. Julianna is currently pursuing her Master’s of Music Performance at the University of Southern California. She has studied under Dr. Jessica Maxfield and Dr. Kenneth Foerch and is now in her final year, studying under Sal Lozano. At USC, she has been an active member of the saxophone quartet, saxophone ensemble, and wind ensemble.
Presenter Bios
Based in the Herb Alpert School of Music, the UCLA Saxophone Ensemble comprises undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students studying music education or performance under Dr. Jan Berry Baker. Members love engaging with the public, working with the Gluck Fellows Program to bring live chamber music to community centers, and providing music education to at-risk youth with the Music Partnership Program. They also enjoy exchanging perspectives at numerous conferences and summer enrichment programs. Additionally, ensemble members are dedicated to expanding the saxophone repertoire through newly commissioned works.
Consisting of faculty and graduate students from the University of Northern Colorado School of Music, the UNC Jazz Saxophone Quartet proudly performs exclusively new compositions/arrangements by members of the group and other UNC jazz composers. Honoring the long tradition in jazz of performer/ composers, the UNCJSQ draws from a myriad of influences from ranging from blues to bebop to the avant garde to create a unique and visceral listening experience. With a heavy emphasis on improvisation, both with and without chord changes, there is often malleability to the arrangements to create a fresh take on a piece for every performance.
The University of Arizona Saxophone Ensemble, led by Dr. Edward Goodman, features current graduate and undergraduate students from the UA Saxophone Studio. Specializing in classical and jazz performance, the saxophone studio includes both majors and minors in music with many pursuing interdisciplinary double degrees in fields such as Biochemistry, Engineering, Mathematics, and Law.
The University of Utah Saxophone Quintet was formed at the University of Utah School of Music in 2024 under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Allardyce. The group is comprised of members of all five degree programs offered at the University: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Music Performance, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts. Members of this group have spear-headed the studio’s drive toward an increased participation in chamber music and this octet has provided a unique opportunity for the performers to learn from one another in a chamber setting with each student’s unique background and degree path.
The USC Saxophone Quartet is a dynamic and innovative collegiate saxophone ensemble known for its diverse repertoire and energetic performances. Formed in 2024 at USC, the quartet brings together talented saxophonists from different musical backgrounds to explore both classical and contemporary works, featuring original compositions and arrangements. The group’s members—Joshua Hebert, Collin Juniper, Sophia Flores, Julianna Townley—are students at the University of Southern California,
where they study under the guidance of renowned saxophonist Sal Lozano and collaborate with composers and guest artists.Drawing from a wide range of musical styles, from classical to jazz and avant-garde, the quartet’s performances are characterized by their technical precision, expressive interpretations, and deep musicality. Their repertoire includes works from notable as well as cutting-edge pieces from emerging composers, making them a versatile and forward-thinking group.Whether performing standard saxophone quartets or premiering new works, the USC Saxophone Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the rich, multifaceted world of the saxophone.
The USC Saxophone Quintet is a chamber group that was formed in early August of 2024 composed of students from the University of Southern California.
The USC Thornton Saxophone Ensemble is a dynamic group of talented saxophonists dedicated to exploring the diverse repertoire of saxophone music, from classical to contemporary. Formed in 2024, the ensemble brings together musicians with varied backgrounds and experiences, creating a rich tapestry of sound that captivates audiences. Committed to musical excellence and collaboration, this ensemble not only performs established works but also actively seeks new pieces from emerging composers. Their passion for education and outreach has led to workshops and masterclasses in schools and community centers, inspiring the next generation of musicians.Whether performing beloved classics or cutting-edge compositions, the University of Southern California Saxophone Ensemble continues to redefine the possibilities of the saxophone ensemble, inviting listeners on an unforgettable musical journey.
Viento Quartet is a saxophone quartet based out of Glendale, Arizona. We have formed as students of Glendale Community College and strive for excellence through expressive music and as a collaboration of various musical backgrounds, such as Jazz, Classical, and Latin styles. Each of us, with many unique musical experiences and insights, come together to share that knowledge with each other to push ourselves to be better musicians and people.
Hendrik Jacobus Viljoen is a performer, educator, and arranger from Lincoln, NE. He remains active with a variety of bands and ensembles including the Corvus Saxophone Quartet, RMCF Jug Band, Lincoln Area Music Experiments, and Mad Dog and the 20/20s. Before pursuing a DA in Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Colorado, he was the music director at Bluestem Montessori, and the K-12 vocal, general, and instrumental music director at Red Cloud Community Schools.
Colin Ward is a born and raised Southern Californian saxophonist and teacher. He has performed in groups like La Mirada Symphony, Corona Symphony, Bob
Presenter Bios
Cole Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony, CSU Fullerton Wind Symphony, Fullerton Jazz Orchestra, and CSU Fullerton Symphony Orchestra. He currently serves on faculty at Rio Hondo College, Rowland Unified School District, and North Orange County Conservatory of Music. Colin received his M.M. Performance from CSUF and B.M. Performance from CSULB. He has studied with John Hallberg, James Barrera, Edmund and Julian Velasco. Colin continues to pursue his craft while regularly teaching in hopes to improve the arts and its education.
Mark Watkins premiered the Concerto for Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra with Obbligato Piano by David deBoor Canfield in 2023 with the Brigham Young University-Idaho Symphony Orchestra in Rexburg, Idaho. In 1994, after his studies with Eugene Rousseau, Daniel Deffayet, and Yushi Ishiwata, Watkins was offered a position in the prestigious D.C. based US Army Field Band but was unable to enlist due to visual disability. He has performed in over 20 countries and has produced ten CDs. His recording projects have included collaborations with The Miami and Zagreb Saxophone Quartets, Saxitude, Vincent Gardner, Derrick Gardner, and many others. Dr. Watkins’ compositions have received praise from Jeff Coffin, Ed Calle, and Gordon Goodwin. A catalogue of his available compositions is found on ejazzlines.com. Watkins has published in The Saxophone Symposium and JAZZed and is the author of the book and video collection From the Inside Out: An In-Depth Resource for the Development of Saxophone Sound. Three books on the performance practice of Charlie Parker are expected to be released in 2025. Watkins holds a doctorate in five woodwinds from Indiana University and is currently Professor of Saxophone at BYU-I, having taught 40 years, and having served as Director of Jazz Studies for over 20 years. In recognition for his contributions to music in the region, he was presented with the Eliza R. Snow Award for Performing and Visual Arts in 2024.
Gregory Xavier Whitmore is Conductor of the University Symphonic Winds at California State University Fullerton (CSUF). In addition to this artistic responsibility, he is an Associate Professor of Instrumental Music Education and serves as Area Coordinator of the CSUF Music Education Department. He is also in his 11th season as Music Director of the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, one of only a handful of youth wind ensembles connected to a group one professional symphony orchestra (Pacific Symphony) in the United States. A proud Midwesterner and native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, he earned his bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from The University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance. He received his master’s degree in music with an emphasis in wind conducting from California State University Fullerton. He holds a master’s degree, and a doctorate in music and music education from Columbia University (Teachers College) in the city of New
York. A Second Place Winner of the 2017 American Prize in Conducting, Dr. Whitmore has conducted ensembles around the world. He has presented research at music education symposia throughout the United States and abroad, including The Midwest Clinic, and the International Society of Music Education World Congress. His research has been published in Visions of Research in Music Education. He belongs to professional organizations that include College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society, The National Association for Music Education, Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, and the California Music Educators Association.
Tommy Wilde, a 20-year-old classical saxophonist, began playing the saxophone in junior high and continued through his high school years. During that time, he earned a spot in the 2022-2023 UMEA All-State Band on alto saxophone and received a “superior” rating in the state solo and ensemble competition. Now a sophomore at the University of Utah, Tommy is studying saxophone performance. He plays in the university’s premier wind ensemble and top jazz ensemble, and he is also a key member of the saxophone ensemble and multiple quartets.
Rachel Wolz is a distinguished saxophonist and educator based in Los Angeles, currently completing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Performance at UCLA. She has performed with ensembles such as the UCLA Philharmonia and The Colburn Orchestra. She has also toured with the Zoto Saxophone Quartet, conducting various clinics and masterclasses throughout the state of Arizona. Additionally, she is a recipient of numerous awards.
Being an emerging saxophone artist and pedagogue on international stages and institutions, Calvin Wong promotes the upbringing of young saxophonists and emerging composers. As a soloist, Calvin has performed concerti with The University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Chamber Wind Philharmonia, Hong Kong Festival Wind Orchestra, Tak Ming Philharmonic Winds, and Wah Yan Symphony Orchestra. Calvin is active in international conferences, such as The First Asian Saxophone Congress, North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences, Midwest International Clinic in Chicago, Singapore Saxophone Symposium, and World Saxophone Congress. Performances were broadcast at WFMT, KMFA 89.5 and RTHK . Calvin received the Gold Medal of the 4th Manhattan International Music Competition, First Prize of the VIII Stockholm International Music Competition. As a founding member of Kodachrome saxophone quartet, he has received prizes at the 50th Fischoff, 10th Plowman, and 10th Coltman Chamber Music Competitions. He has commissioned and premiered music by So Ho Chi, Larry Shuen Lai-yin, Gu
Presenter Bios
Wei, Christopher Ciampoli, Joel Love, Jenni Watson, Meilina Tsui, Esther Wu, and Austin Yip. Calvin serves as a Lecturer at The University of Texas at Austin. His debut album was released in Spring 2023.
Zun-Hin Woo attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman and obtained his B.M. in Violin Performance and earned his M.M. degree in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Missouri in Columbia. During that time, he also served as the assistant conductor of the Columbia Civic Orchestra and the Show Me Opera, conducting operas and musicals in the region. Additionally, he participated in the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Orchestral Musicians. As a professional violinist and violist, Professor Woo has performed with several orchestras in Asia, including the Hong Kong Virtuosi, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, and the Concerto da Camera. He was appointed Principal Conductor of the Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra in 2007. He has also worked with several organizations in Hong Kong including the Open University, King’s College, Hong Kong Medical Association Orchestra, La Salle College, Danse a Lili Ballet Academy, Songsingers Choir, European Folk Legacy Dance Troupe, Hong Kong City Opera, and Wah Yan College, where he also taught conducting courses. Upon returning to the U.S. with his wife and two sons, Professor Woo obtained his D.M.A in conducting at Claremont Graduate University and currently serves as the orchestra conductor and strings coordinator at Fullerton College and Instrumental Department Coordinator at Santiago Canyon College in California. Locally, he is the Associate Conductor and concertmaster of the Temecula Valley Symphony in addition to its youth symphony conductor. He has also served
as guest concertmaster with the Coachella Valley Symphony, Corona Symphony, Dana Point Symphony, and Four Seasons Orchestra. Dr. Woo has also led several studio recording sessions in Hollywood and recently recorded with the City of Prague Philharmonic.
William Wu, a 17-year-old musician from Cerritos, California, is a highly accomplished and versatile artist. He has performed as a featured member of the California All-State and All-Southern ensembles, in addition to holding the Alto/Soprano chair in the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble. Recently, William was named Alternate in the California MTNA Competition, further demonstrating his dedication and skill. He has also participated in several esteemed summer programs, including the MPulse Saxophone Intensive at the University of Michigan, the Interlochen Saxophone Intensive, and the IU Saxophone Academy. Currently, he studies under the guidance of Paul Cotton.
The Zarya Quartet, under the direction of Dr. Edward Goodman, is comprised of four undergraduate students from the University of Arizona. They are all heavily involved in different ensembles, ranging from wind ensembles to jazz bands, and other chamber groups. Apart from this, the members are also all STEM majors, splitting their time between music and the sciences and using music and performance as a needed creative outlet in the busy lives of college students.
