Meet the
Current Studio
Feel free to contact the studio members directly by clicking the little envelopes next to their names. To contact any alumni, please view the alumni page.
Scott Brown
DMA Saxophone Performance
Scott Brown (he/him) is a versatile saxophonist and educator whose performances combine technical precision with vibrant energy. His recent engagements include appearances at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Caroga Arts Festival, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Yale School of Music, as well as international conferences and institutions in Europe and the United States.
A committed collaborator and advocate for new music, Scott has worked with composers including Kevin Day, Jennifer Jolley, Kenneth Fuchs, and Bryan Wysocki, and previously served as Operations Manager for the Atlanta Contemporary Music Collective. His research explores the intersection of electronics and instrumental performance. During the 2025–2026 academic year, he was a research fellow with SPLICE, working with Keith Kirchoff and Elainie Lillios. His ongoing research includes a comprehensive database of works for saxophone and electronics.
Scott is the baritone saxophonist of the Hierax Quartet, which earned national third prize in the 2025 MTNA Chamber Music Competition, first prize in the Hartt Chamber Competition, and advanced as semifinalists in the Plowman and the North American Saxophone Alliance competitions.
Scott serves as Instructor of Saxophone at Wesleyan University and Saxophone Faculty at the Hartt School Community Division. He is pursuing the DMA at the Hartt School, where he is a Saxophone Teaching Assistant and Assistant Director of the Hartt Saxophone Ensemble. He holds degrees from Florida State University and the University of Georgia and has studied with Carrie Koffman, Geoff Deibel, Connie Frigo, and Dave D’Angelo. Scott is an Artist Ambassador for JLV Sound.
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Ashtyn Wolph
MM Saxophone Performance and Music Composition
Ashtyn Wolph (b. 2002) is a saxophonist, composer, and educator based in Hartford, Connecticut. Growing up participating in as many musical activities as possible, she spends her time finding any opportunity to blend her passions for performing, writing, teaching, and theatre. Ashtyn has been a member of Heidelberg University’s Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Single Reed Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Chamber Singers. She was a finalist in the 2023 Perrysburg Symphony Concerto Contest and winner of the Heidelberg Ars Nova Composition Award, New Third Space Ensemble Call for Scores, and the 2022 Vandoren “With You Every Step” Video Campaign Selection. Ashtyn has taught various ensembles and private lessons ranging from beginning band to high school saxophonists to collegiate theatre. She seeks to use her compositions to explore the wonders of natural phenomena.
Ashtyn is originally from Fostoria, Ohio, and holds a degree in music education with a minor in theatre from Heidelberg University. She has studied saxophone under Joshua Heaney, Garrett Evans, and Carrie Koffman and studied composition under Doug McConnel, Matthew Kennedy, and Gilda Lyons. She is a current M.M. student at the Hartt School studying saxophone performance and composition. Ashtyn is the current recipient of the Hartt School Time and Space Fellowship.
MM Saxophone Performance
Daniel Ripp is a saxophonist from Evansville, Wisconsin. Daniel is currently a graduate student at the Hartt School of Music under the instruction of Carrie Koffman. Previously, he attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison under Dr. Matthew Koester and earned his B.M. in Music Education. While at Madison, he performed in the University of Madison Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Saxophone Ensemble and Sothis quartet. Sothis was a semifinalist in the 2024 NASA quartet competition. He also had the opportunity perform alongside the Eighth Blackbird contemporary music collective. Daniel strives to learn more about music education and hopes to become a band director after he graduates.
Daniel Ripp
James Grass
MM Saxophone Performance
James Grass is a student at The Hartt School and is currently working towards his Master of Music in saxophone performance, studying under Professor Carrie Koffman. He earned his Bachelor's in music performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, studying with Dr. Steve Stusek, and Dr. Robert Young. Originally from Burke, Virginia, he studied under SGM Matthew Carmichael throughout high school.
During James' studies he has gained experience performing with wind bands touring the country and performing at prestigious events such as the CBDNA national conference performing as a soloist. In addition, he was a founding member of UNCG's Cardinal saxophone quartet which has performed at events such as the Navy Band's International saxophone symposium and NASA Regional conference. James's repertoire spans the saxophone's core canon... Albright, Creston, Ibert, Desenclos, alongside cross-disciplinary chamber works including Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8 and Amy Beach's Romance.
Alongside his studies, James is developing a private lesson studio, aiming to teach saxophonists of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. James plans to audition for performing positions with the nation's premier military bands upon completing his MM at The Hartt School.
Jack Blumer
MM Saxophone Performance
Jack Blumer is a saxophonist, educator, and student originally from Saint Simons Island, Georgia. Following earning his B.M. in Saxophone Performance under the direction of Dr. Geoffrey Deibel at Florida State University, Jack now studies as a graduate student at the Hartt School of Music under the instruction of Professor Carrie Koffman.
During his time at Florida State University, Jack cultivated a diverse set of experiences- teaching at local high schools in the greater Tallahassee area, premiering works for upcoming composers, and performing with various ensembles including Florida State University’s Saxophone Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Genesis Quartet. Jack strives to continue a cycle of success for his students while assuring every musical voice and idea is heard.
BM Music Education and Saxophone Performance
Dakota Jones is a saxophonist and educator originally from Mid-Coast Maine, now based in the Greater Hartford area. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Saxophone Performance at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music. She is also a proud member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and currently serves as the Hartt NAfME Chapter President for the 2025-26 school year.
An active performer, Dakota plays with several prestigious ensembles at the Hartt School, including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Labyrinth Quartet, Hartt Salsa All-Stars, and the student-run Pep Band. Additionally, she holds the position of Symphony Band Personnel Manager at The Hartt School. Dakota has performed at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., the NASA Region 8 Conference, and the U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium.
Outside of saxophone and the classroom, Dakota is an avid reader, enjoys cooking alongside her parents at their Lao restaurant in Belfast, Maine, and gardening with her dad on their farm with their three cats Lenward, Jello, and Maple.
Dakota Jones
MICHAEL DUBLER
BS Acoustical Engineering, Music
Michael Dubler is a saxophonist from Burlington County in South Jersey. He is currently an undergraduate in both the Hartt and CETA school for Acoustical Engineering. Michael has had a love for the performing arts as well as math and science for as long as he can remember. While starting originally on clarinet in the fifth grade, Michael decided to learn the saxophone in seventh grade to be able to play more varieties of music. Michael has played in many musical groups such as Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Pit Orchestras, and other smaller chamber groups on both clarinet and saxophone.
Ronitt Dhalliwal
BM Music Education
Ronitt Dhalliwal is a saxophonist from Central Massachusetts. Ronitt fell in love with music and teaching during high school and now wishes to pursue his passions at the University of Hartford. Ronitt was an active musician in his town partaking in multiple ensembles such as Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Pep Band, and multiple Choir Groups. Ronitt also participated in the Massachusetts All-State Wind Ensemble and competed in the New England Saxophone Symposium at UMass Amherst. He gained a passion for teaching his peers, and younger students participating and creating multiple education groups to further the arts in his town. Ronitt is very excited to pursue a B.M. in Music Education under the instruction of Carrie Koffman.
Alyssa Attenello
BM Saxophone Performance and BS in Nursing
Aly Attenello is a saxophonist from South Windsor, Connecticut, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance (Saxophone) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She first learned to play the saxophone from her dad, who introduced her to the instrument and encouraged her love of music.
At Hartt, Aly performs with the Hartt Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble, Foot in the Door Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, and various chamber groups, including the Kalmia and Labyrinth Saxophone quartets. With the saxophone studio, she had performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences and the U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium.
Outside of school, Aly enjoys hiking, biking, running, and spending time outdoors. She is grateful for the opportunities Hartt has provided and looks forward to continuing to grow as both a musician and a person.
Joshua Crespo
BM Music Education
Joshua Crespo is a second-year student pursuing a degree in Music Education at The Hartt School. Originally from Long Island, New York, Joshua grew up in a strong musical environment that fostered his passion for music and inspired him to pursue a career in music education.
During his first year at Hartt, Joshua gained valuable experience in both performance and music education, developing his skills as a musician while exploring his future role as an educator. He is passionate about giving back to his community and currently provides private saxophone and clarinet lessons to younger students, helping them develop their musical abilities and confidence.
Joshua is also a member of The Hartt School Admissions team, where he has the opportunity to contribute to the Hartt community and support prospective students. In addition, he has spent the past two years assisting his former elementary and middle schools by coaching their music ensembles. Looking toward the future, Joshua hopes to become a music educator who inspires and encourages the next generation of young musicians to discover their own passion for music.
Matthew Bilafer
BS Acoustical Engineering, Music
Matthew Bilafer is a saxophonist from Concord, California. He is affiliated with the Hartt School and CETA, where he integrates his passions for music, mathematics, and engineering. He originally started on clarinet in fourth grade, then switched to saxophone in fifth grade. During high school, Matthew was a member of his school's engineering and design academy, while also performing in the marching band, wind ensemble, and jazz band. Additionally, he has performed with his county honor band and the California All State Honor Band, and other local groups in his area. Matthew continues to combine technical rigor with musical artistry, reflecting his commitment to both engineering and performance.
Nadia Elghannani
BM Music Education
Nadia is a saxophonist from Valatie, New York, and is excited to be joining the sax studio at The Hartt School! She has studied the saxophone since the fifth grade and is eager to further her studies as a freshman majoring in Music Education. Nadia grew up in musical family and has been passionate about the performing arts from a young age. She started performing in musicals at the age of eight, which led to her exploration of vocal and instrumental performance. Nadia has had the pleasure of playing in ensembles such as the ESYO Wind Orchestra and Rep Jazz Orchestra, the Area All State concert band, the Ghent Community Band, her local All County groups, and her school’s jazz, concert, and marching bands. One of Nadia’s favorite saxophone experiences was touring Romania with ESYO for the WASBE International Band Conference. When she is not doing something musical, Nadia can be found crafting, playing tennis, or spending time with her pets.
Keegan Holm
BM Music Education
Keegan Holm is a first year Music Education major from Long Island, NY. He was part of his high school’s three bands, two jazz groups, the musical pit, pep band, saxophone quartet, and chorus. He was part of the TRI-M music honor society. He was also a competitive hip hop dancer for 8 years. Keegan gravitated towards the music program after finding out that due to a rare hearing disorder that he could not play sports. He became so immersed in his school’s music program that he found a love for music and a desire to help other kids learn and appreciate music. Outside of music, Keegan loves spending time with his family and friends, sports, going to see new movies, and video games.
