Saxophone

ܳٱԱDZǴDzDZDzԱ

In this video, Assistant Professor of Saxophone Nathan Mertens and CU ǸԹ College of Music students present an overview of our saxophone studio.

Audition + apply

Welcome to the saxophone studioat the ǸԹ College of Music!

The saxophone studio is comprised of 16-18 undergraduate and graduate students pursuing BM, BME, BA, MM and DMA degrees.In an intense, creative and supportive environment, students are encouraged to explore and develop their unique voice and its place within the music industry.

All students have weekly one-on-one lessons with Assistant Professor of Saxophone Nathan Mertens and attend weekly studio classes that provide opportunities to share their progress; host guest artists (full list below); present lectures on a variety of topics; and participate in saxophone ensemble rehearsals.

The studio regularly performs on and off campus with appearances at the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference and a variety of local community events. All students also play in one of the Բ𳾲 and have many opportunities for chamber music. Additionally, the saxophone studio benefits tremendously from thecollege’s incredible collaborative pianoprogram.

Recent guest artists

Jeffery Sigfried, Associate Professor, West Virginia University
Kim Loeffert, Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech University
Rami El-Farrah, Associate Professor, University of Texas-San Antonio
Sarah Hetrick, Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas
Kyle Blake Jones, Assistant Professor, University of Memphis
Elizabeth Rosinbum, D’Addario woodwind clinician + independent saxophone instructor
Gillian Blair, soloist + instructor, Royal Northern College of Music (U.K.)
Kenta Saito, international soloist + instructor, Senzoku Gakuen College of Music (Japan)
Sergei Govorov, freelance Russian saxophonist
~Nois Saxophone Quartet

Professional placements
Assistant Professor of Music, East Texas Baptist University
Assistant Professor of Saxophone + Director of Jazz Ensembles, Lamar University (tenure track)
Instructor of Saxophone, University of Wyoming (sabbatical replacement)
ǸԹ Symphony Music Academy
Douglas County School District (Colorado)

Artistic + scholarly success
Alternate—West Central DivisionMTNAYoung Artist Competition (2026)
Semi-Finalist—NASA Quartet Competition (2026)
Winner—Colorado MTNA Young Artist Woodwind Competition (2023, 2024, 2025)
Winner—CU ǸԹ SoundWorks 64-bit Composition Competition (2024)
Finalist—Philharmonic Society of Arlington Young Artist Competition (2024)
Finalist—CU ǸԹ Ekstrand Graduate Competition; 2nd Place + Audience Choice (2024); Finalist (2025)
CU ǸԹ College of Teaching & Learning Fellow (2024-25)
CU ǸԹ B2 Black Box Studio Tank Fellowship (2024)
Selected for Bang on a Can (2025)
CU ǸԹ College of Music Dean’s Travel Assistance for Graduate Students (2024, 2025)
CU ǸԹ Entrepreneurship Center for Music Grant (2025)
CU ǸԹ Center for Humanities & the Arts Grant (2024)

Graduate Students
Ryan Montemayor (Texas), DMA Saxophone Performance + Pedagogy, Doctoral Teaching Assistant
Josh Vance (Colorado), AD Saxophone Performance
Jack Beatenhead (Florida), MM Saxophone Performance
Spencer Cox (Tennessee), MM Saxophone Performance, Master’s Teaching Assistant
Catherine Oles (Texas), MM Saxophone Performance + Pedagogy, MME
Inbo Shim (Texas), MM Saxophone Performance

Undergraduate students
Morgan White (Kansas), Music Education
Sydney Bellora (Colorado), Music Education
Curtis Liu (Colorado), Saxophone Performance, Computer Science
Elise Luzietti (Colorado), Saxophone Performance w/ Jazz emphasis
Ashley Sanchez (Colorado), Music Education w/ Jazz emphasis
Carys Vaughan (Colorado), Music Education
Casey Coleman (Colorado), Saxophone Performance, Music Education
Kate Garmon (Colorado), Saxophone Performance
Matthew Gross (California), Saxophone Performance, Music Education
Eli Ward (Texas), Saxophone Performance, Engineering
Ryan Weisberg (Colorado), Music Education
Levi DuPont (Texas), Music
Kit Musni (Nevada), Music Education
Davin Whitley (California), Music Performance

Visiting campus
Prospective students are invited to tour our beautiful and the Imig Music Building at any time during the academic year.

While you’re on campus:

  • Studio class is held on Mondays at 2:30 p.m. and is open to any saxophonists—and their parents—who are considering auditioning.
  • Professor Mertens offers FREE 25-minute lessons to all prospective students!Please reach out directly to him to schedule your lesson!
  • All faculty and student performances (recitals, chamber music and large ensemble) are free and many are livestreamed.

Playing at altitude
ǸԹ’s elevation (5,430 feet!) makes saxophone playing a bit different from playing at sea level. The thinner, drier air can affect both your breathing and your reeds. You may find that you tire more quickly or need to take breaks more often, and your reeds may dry out or respond differently than usual. It’s a good idea to bring a mouthpiece cap that you regularly use and slightly softer reeds than you normally play—for example, if you typically use 3.5s, consider bringing some 3.0 or 3.0+ reeds.

If possible, plan to arrive a day or two early so both you and your reeds have time to adjust. Stay well-hydrated (altitude dries everything out!), get some extra sleep and take frequent breaks during long practice sessions. Most importantly, don’t get discouraged—it can take time to adapt, but your body will adjust and your playing will follow!

Other tips/advice from Professor Mertens
Don’t wait to reach out to me—I’d love to hear from you! Whether you're just starting to explore college options or already considering CU ǸԹ, it’s never too early to connect. I’m always happy to share more about my teaching, the saxophone studio and all the incredible opportunities available at the CU ǸԹ College of Music. Let’s start a conversation and see how we can support your artistic journey!

I strongly encourage all saxophonists to:

  • Study privately with a teacher (if you live in Colorado, feel free to contact me for a list of wonderful teachers!).
  • Participate in school bands and chamber music programs.
  • Join the North American Saxophone Alliance and attend the annual conference.
  • Audition for honor bands, All-State and local competitions.
  • Attend as many concerts of all kinds as you can! It’s crucial to listen to live performances, online streams and recordings at the highest level.

I’m often asked, “What are you looking for in a new student?” and I always answer the same way: “I’m looking for good people who also play the saxophone well.” To me, this goes beyond musical ability. I believe in the philosophy that “all boats rise with the tide,” meaning that—in our studio—we’re all in this together and one person’s success is everyone’s success. We support each other not just in becoming better saxophonists, but in growing as individuals who are socially and culturally responsible stewards of the saxophone and of music.

Nathan Mertens

Nathan Mertens

U.S.-based saxophonist Nathan Mertens (he/him) has performed recitals in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Croatia, Bolivia, the United Kingdom and throughout the United States. He has performed as a soloist with ensembles including the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, Hastings Symphony Orchestra, University of Arkansas Wind Ensemble and the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble. Mertens’ orchestral experience includes performances with the Colorado Symphony, the San Antonio Symphony and the Omaha Symphony.MORE

Contact

Nathan Mertens
Assistant Professor of Saxophone
nathan.mertens@colorado.edu

Upcoming woodwinds events