ABOUT
I am a versatile saxophonist dedicated to the creation of new music through close collaboration with other artists, improvisation, and most recently, composition. I embrace the challenge of incorporating unfamiliar elements into my work on a regular basis. The process of navigating new territory and synthesizing ideas yields immense personal and artistic growth.
Trained in the Western “classical” tradition, I gradually developed a love for not-so-classical sounds, techniques, and notation. Contemporary musical scores felt like puzzles that reveal uncharted dimensions of expressive possibilities. When I began collaborating with composers in 2008, I realized that bringing new music to life would be central to my creative pursuits. Since then, I have premiered over 70 works, most of which I was involved in commissioning. Although my focus is on new works and improvisation, I continue performing standard saxophone repertoire and existing contemporary music.
I started improvising as a doctoral student and have since been developing my skills in that area. As an improviser, I am interested in iteration, speech patterns, and other forms of vocalized communication, and exploring the idiomatic, tactile qualities of the saxophone. For several recent projects, I requested that my collaborators create space for improvisation in their music.
Improvisation has nudged me toward pursuing composition. I premiered my tenor saxophone solo, Herzl, in November 2021. The piece represents my exploration of cultural identity and its unfixed nature. More broadly, it is about coming of age, establishing personal values in the face of negative influences and doubt, and accepting the gray area, the not-knowingness, in life. My next project is a collection of solo saxophone works inspired by impactful pieces of visual art.
As an educator, I emphasize the importance of learning how to learn, critical and creative thinking, and prioritizing expression in both practice and performance. I strive to expose students to a wide range of music and ideas while also keeping their individual goals in mind. I consider instruction to be another creative skill that invites experimentation and always leaves room for further development.
I live in Philadelphia, teach at Rowan University, and climb rock walls for fun. To learn more about my projects, including Ogni Suono, Patchwork, The Saxophone Repository, and Talking Free Music, visit my projects page.
*****
I am a Conn-Selmer Artist-Clinician and on the Vandoren Artist Roster.
*****
EDUCATION
Doctor of Musical Arts in Contemporary Music (Saxophone), Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH (2010-2014)
Master of Music in Saxophone Performance and Literature, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL (2008-2010)
Study Abroad, Saxophone Performance, Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Boulogne-Billancourt, France (2006-2007)
Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance and Music Education, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (2002-2006)