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
Based in Hartford, Connecticut, Scott Brown is an emerging saxophonist and educator, currently serving as Instructor of Saxophone at Wesleyan University. A proponent of new music, he frequently collaborates with living composers, leading to several new works utilizing the saxophone. He has recently performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Contemporary Music Collective, and has presented recitals at the International Saxophone Symposium and the North American Saxophone Alliance conferences.
Scott holds the soprano saxophone chair of the nationally recognized Hierax Quartet. Hierax recently won the national third prize in the 2025 MTNA Competition and were semi-finalists in the Plowman Chamber Competition. Since its inception, the ensemble has actively engaged in outreach performances throughout the New England region.
He holds degrees in saxophone performance from the University of Georgia and Florida State University and is currently a doctoral candidate at the Hartt School, studying with Carrie Koffman.
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Evan Blitzer
MM Saxophone Performance
Evan Blitzer is a Saxophonist from Tampa, Florida. Evan is a current graduate student at The Hartt School under the instruction of Carrie Koffman. Previously, he studied with Dr. Geoffrey Deibel at Florida State University and earned his B.M. in Saxophone Performance and a minor in Political Science.
While at Florida State, Evan participated in various ensembles including the Florida State Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Saxophone Orchestra, and EDJE Quartet. He has also collaborated with various ensembles to help composition students premiere new works. Evan strives to continue to collaborate to develop new voices in music.
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
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.
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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.
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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 first year student pursuing a degree in Music Education. Originally from Long Island, New York, Joshua grew up in a strong musical background and wants to continue his passion for music. Throughout his time in high school, he performed with all 3 bands at school, including chorus. He was actively involved in TRI-M Music Honor Society for 4 years with his last year as an officer. Joshua loves giving back the community by giving private lessons on both on saxophone and clarinet to younger students. He spent the last 2 years assisting his former elementary and middle school by coaching their music ensembles. Joshua hopes in the future to be come a music educator to inspire more younger children.
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.
