2nd Year MM Saxophone Performance

Garrett Evans is a saxophonist and music educator from Fort Collins, Colorado. As a saxophonist, Garrett has performed in a wide variety of places, both domestically and internationally. He was part of a saxophone quartet that performed at the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg, France in 2016. Domestically, Garrett strives to perform often, playing solo and with groups in elementary schools, warming shelters, and other public venues, bringing new music to people who don’t always have access to it.

Sophomore, BM Composition

Liam Florence is a composer/saxophonist from West Springfield who, despite knowing that he wanted to pursue music in college since 6th grade, only recently began taking the necessary steps to achieve his goal. As a result he often underestimates himself and his abilities, but is always willing to push the envelope regarding the difficulty of his pieces. He has also been writing pieces since the 6th grade, but never had formal training in regards to that either. Liam Florence also really likes dogs and Ice Cream

2nd Year DMA Saxophone Performance

Derek Granger is pursuing his DMA in Saxophone Performance at the Hartt School of Music, in the studio of Carrie Koffman. A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Granger holds a bachelors degree from The University of Arizona and a masters degree from Indiana University. Granger currently serves on the faculty of Rocky Ridge Music Center and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Prior to this, Granger served for six years as Director of Choirs at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Arizona, in addition to playing in the Presidio Saxophone Quartet. Granger has earned awards at MTNA Solo and Chamber Competitions, Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Young Artist Competition, and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition. Past teachers include Otis Murphy, Timothy McAllister, Kelland Thomas, and Mark McArthur. 

Sophomore, BM Music Production & Technology

David Kuhn is studying Music Production Technology at the University of Hartford. He went to Lyme-Old Lyme high school where he discovered a love for the art of recording. David has been playing sax for 6 years and began playing guitar 4 years ago. He was previously in the Audio Engineering Technology program for 1 year at the University of Hartford. David has recorded multiple songs and can play 4 different instruments as well as knowledge using recording software and equipment.

Sophomore, BS Acoustics and Music

Aidan Lueth is a freshman in the Acoustical Engineering and Music program at the University of Hartford. She has studied with Professor Zach Shemon from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance for two years. Aidan just graduated with honors from Park Hill South High School in Riverside, Missouri, where she participated in the school’s jazz, symphonic, and marching bands.

2nd Year MM Saxophone Performance & Composition

Alexander is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, teacher and freelance musician from Warren, Ohio. Primary a jazz musician, Mr. Miller has performed in multiple other genres such as classical rock, musical theatre, polka, blues, ska/reggae, pop, gospel, contemporary christian, funk, jazz fusion and electonica. An avid teacher, Mr. Miller teaches all levels of students from elementary to college/non traditional and special needs. Along with saxophone, Alexander performs on flutes, clarinets, bass, pianos, guitars, vocals and drums. Through teaching, Mr. Miller strives to teach the importance and power music has on people and that the if you can make one person happy through music that's all that matters. In May of 2018,  Mr. Miller graduated from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor's or Music in Jazz Performance where his primary teachers were Dr. James Umble, Dr. Dave Morgan, Mr. David Kana, Dr, Kent Engelhardt, Dr. Kathryn Thomas Umble, Dr. Cicilia Yudha and Dr. Stephen Gage.

Freshman, BM Music Production & Technology

Ryan Newell is a saxophonist from Sussex County, New Jersey.  He has played the saxophone since the 7th grade and, in entering high school, knew that it was his dream to perform. He has performed with Grammy Award Winning B. J. Thomas, performed in the New Jersey all state band, and played for his county’s youth orchestra. Ryan hopes to continue his studies on the saxophone to become the best musician he can be!   

*Senior, BME Music Education & Saxophone Performance

Owen Nichols is currently pursuing a double major in Music Education and Saxophone Performance. The Succasunna, New Jersey native also enjoys playing with dogs and watching a good baseball game. As an admirer of chamber music, he loves finding new ways to collaborate with his peers. Prior to coming to Hartt, Owen studied for two years at Rutgers University under the tutelage of Dr. Paul Cohen. Additionally, he has studied with John DiEgidio and Gregory Mulford on saxophone, and Dr. Christopher Wickham on bassoon. His biggest goals as an educator are to make music more approachable and to cultivate the innate curiosity of children.

Freshman, BM Saxophone Performance

Jason discovered a love for music at an early age and wants to be able to reciprocate the for others. As a native of East Islip, Long Island, NY he was in Nassau-Suffolk wind ensemble in 11th grade under conductor Joel Levy and played in NY Allstate wind ensemble senior year. Jason started playing the saxophone in 3rd grade. He studied with Ed Centanni grades 4-9 and with Justin Marks grades 9-12. In addition to music, he loves sports, nature, philosophy and helping people however he can in order to broaden his own and others' perspectives

2nd Year, MM Saxophone Performance

Aislinn Walters was born and raised in Hays, Kansas. She graduated magna cum laude from Fort Hays State University with degrees in Music Education and Saxophone Performance in 2019. She has maintained an active performing career, playing both classical and jazz. Her teaching, conducting, and adjudicating experience ranges from middle school through college-level. Walters is a Presser scholar, recipient of local, state, and national music awards, and an active North American Saxophone Alliance member. She met and worked with Professor Carrie Koffman while attending the 2018 American Saxophone Academy and looks forward to earning her graduate degree under Koffman’s guidance.