Saxophone Studio
meet the studio
The University of Georgia saxophone studio hosts students from many states with a variety of interests, majors and backgrounds.
Click on a photo to navigate to their bio or scroll below as you wish.
Studio Bios
Lindsey Welp
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Doctor of Musical Arts
Lindsey (she/her) is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in saxophone performance at the University of Georgia, where she serves as the graduate teaching assistant to the saxophone studio.
Her interests lie in interdisciplinary collaboration and the curation of new works. Lindsey’s accolades include two first prizes at the MTNA Young Performing Artist State Solo Competition, first prize at the LaGrange Symphony Young Artist Competition, third prize in the Elise Hall Competition for Emerging Saxophonists, and two-time semifinalist in the NASA Collegiate Solo Competition. She has won concerto competitions at both DePauw University and Bowling Green State University.
Lindsey is the tenor saxophonist in the award-winning saxophone quartet Mixed Media. The group won the gold medal at the 2022 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, Senior Winds category, resulting in a 2-week tour of the Midwest. Mixed Media was awarded first prize at the 2022 Coltman Chamber Music Competition in Austin, TX, and advanced to the national finals of the 2022 MTNA Chamber Music Competition.
A passionate educator, Lindsey is the director and founder of the North Georgia Saxophone Ensemble, a no-cost, no-audition high school saxophone ensemble. Lindsey recently served as the Adjunct Instructor of saxophone at Terra State Community College. Lindsey’s mentors include Scotty Stepp, Jean-Yves Fourmeau, John Sampen, Brandon Quarles, and Connie Frigo.
Dan Phipps
Doctor of Musical Arts
Dan Phipps (he/him) is a saxophonist, educator, and improviser based in Athens, GA. A large portion of Dan’s practice is dedicated to the dialogical process between composer and performer. An advocate for the performance of new works, Dan has had an active role in the creative process of works for chamber ensemble, and solo saxophone by composers such as Badie Khaleghian, Kyle Grimm, and Luis McDougal. Additionally, he has attended summer festivals dedicated to new music as a performer participant, such as the SPLICE Institute and New Music on the Point, where he worked with esteemed composers Amy Beth Kirsten, Amy Williams, Susie Ibarra, and Elliott Sharp on performances of their work.
Dan has received many accolades as a solo and chamber performer, winning concerto competitions at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and University of Georgia. He has also won the Georgia and Massachusetts MTNA Young Artist Woodwind Solo competitions and received an honorable mention in the Eastern Regional competition. As tenor saxophonist of the Athena Quartet, he was semifinalist at the North American Saxophone Alliance 2018 Conference. Dan currently is the baritone saxophonist of the award-winning Mixed Media saxophone quartet.
As an educator, Dan has taught saxophone to students of various levels and ages. In 2019-2021, he served as a saxophone instructor at the UGA Summer Music Institute. During his Master of Music studies, Dan taught Freshman Aural Skills, for which he won UGA’s Outstanding Teaching Award in 2019. Dan is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at the University of Georgia under Dr. Connie Frigo.
Michael Chapa
Doctor of Musical Arts
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A Dallas, Texas native, Michael Chapa (he/him) is an eclectic and passionate artist and educator who has been recognized for his expertise in chamber music and his conception of interdisciplinary programs. Michael is the soprano saxophonist of the saxophone quartet Mixed Media, winner of the Gold Medal at the 2022 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. From October 2020 to August 2021, Michael traveled to Paris, France to study contemporary music and interdisciplinary collaboration at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Boulogne-Billancourt with saxophonist Jean-Michel Goury. Being awarded the 2020-2021 Harriet Hale Woolley Scholarship, he lived at the Fondation des États-Unis as a resident musician. As a part of the Cycle d'Orientation Professionnelle degree program, he collaborated with several visual artists, dancers, and art organizations on art shows and installations throughout Paris. The largest installation featured the entire interior of a Cité Universitaire housing facility. In collaboration with artist Madison Vander Ark, the building-scale installation "Pariétal: à travers les toiles" involved video projections, painted veils, altered walkways, multiple speakers, several sculptures, and live saxophone improvisation.
Fostering a strong passion for education, Michael has worked in several public schools during his undergraduate degree as a music education major. He specializes in concert and marching band education and has assisted with the Marching Illini at the University of Illinois. Michael now works with the UGA Redcoat Band and other athletic ensembles as an Athletic Bands Teaching Assistant through the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. He is in his third year of the DMA degree in saxophone performance at the University of Georgia under the tutelage of Dr. Connie Frigo and Dr. Brandon Quarles. Previous mentors include Jean-Michel Goury at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Boulogne-Billancourt (Cycle d'Orientation Professionnelle), Debra Richtmeyer at the University of Illinois (MM and Artist Diploma) and Dr. Nathan Nabb at Stephen F. Austin State University (Bachelor of Music in Education).
Joe Himmelberg
5th Year, Bachelor of Music in Performance & Music Theory
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Joe Himmelberg, a native of Fairport, New York, is a fifth-year student pursuing degrees in
music performance and music theory. Joe developed as both a classical and jazz saxophonist
under the direction of accomplished teachers such as David Yusko, Mike Edwards, Bill Tiberio,
Nicki Roman, Zach Stern, Connie Frigo, and Brandon Quarles. Soon to be a graduate of UGA,
Joe also holds a degree from the Eastman Community Music School where he was an honors
graduate and the class’s graduation speaker. Joe seeks to be a versatile performer, playing
everything from contemporary classical to modern rock and pop music. Striving to have an
impact on his community, Joe performs regularly around Athens in popular music settings, and
has previously played in festivals such as the Rochester International Jazz Festival, and various
other philanthropic events in New York and Georgia. In addition to his prolific performing
career, he is an avid teacher of both saxophone and music theory. Joe plans to pursue graduate
degrees in music with the end goal of being a professor of saxophone.
Christopher Victor
4th Year, Bachelor of Music in Performance & Music Theory
Christopher Victor (he/him) is a third-year saxophone performance and music theory double major from Hortense, Georgia. He graduated from Brantley County High School and has participated in several District and Region Honor Bands as well as the GMEA All-State Honor Band. He has also performed in masterclasses with Professor Carrie Koffman, Scottish saxophonist Sue McKenzie, and Dr. Stephen Page. Christopher has taught at Morgan County, Berrien County, and Brantley County High School band camps. He is currently one of the alto saxophone section leaders for the Redcoat Band and plays tenor saxophone for the UGA Wind Symphony. After his studies at UGA, Christopher hopes to go to graduate school for saxophone performance. Career aspirations include belonging to a professional saxophone quartet, performing in a military band, and teaching saxophone.
Owen Cotton
3rd Year, Bachelor of Music in Performance
Owen Cotton (he/him) is a third-year Music Performance major with a certificate in music business hailing from Fairfax, Virginia. During his time at UGA, Owen has been a member of the UGA Wind Ensemble, performing at the 2023 CBNDA National Conference, the UGA Wind Symphony, and the UGA Jazz Ensemble I. He has performed in saxophone master classes for Dr. Stephen Page and Professor Taimur Sullivan. Along with his music business certificate, Owen serves as an intern for the North Georgia Saxophone Ensemble. Prior to attending UGA, Owen studied saxophone privately with Ed Fraedrich. After graduation, Owen plans to pursue a graduate degree in music. When he is not playing the saxophone, Owen spends his time working out, listening to music, and spending time with his family.
Addison Aycock
3rd year, Bachelor of Arts in Music & Bachelor of Science, Pre-Medicine
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Addison Aycock performs on a stage or in the back of an ambulance as a saxophonist and an
EMT, respectively. He is a third-year Bachelor of Arts in Music and Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine at the University of Georgia. His past saxophone professors include Dr. Ben Still and Dr. Glenn Cason. Addison currently plays alto saxophone in the UGA Wind Ensemble. He has performed with the Charlotte Youth Wind Ensemble and Aliment Quartet. Addison has also participated in several solo competitions, earning such honors as Music Teachers National Association Senior Wind finalist and third place winner in the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 7 High School Solo Competition. Addison practices medicine as a certified North Carolina EMT. He most enjoys the OR and wishes to become a surgeon later in life. He also enjoys activities such as running and climbing in his free time.
Carter Naughton
3rd Year, Bachelor of Arts in Music & Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
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Hailing from Falls Church, Virginia, Carter Naughton is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a dual degree in Music Performance and Computer Science with a certificate in Music Business. Before college, he studied classical and jazz saxophone with George Etheridge and Scott Weinhold. Carter’s artistic goal is to connect with audiences emotionally and spiritually through sensitive artistry across different creative mediums. Most recently, Carter played in a masterclass with Dr. Myles Boothroyd at the 2023 NASA Biennial Conference. In the spring of 2023, Carter played with the UGA Wind Ensemble and performed at the 2023 CBDNA National Conference alongside world-renowned guest artists Linqua Franqa, Christopher Martin, and Joseph Alessi. He has performed educational outreach concerts with the Volume4 Saxophone Quartet. After graduation, Carter aspires to work as a producer and audio engineer.
Brennan Sweet
3rd Year, Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Brennan Sweet (he/him) is a third-year Music Education major from Flowery
Branch, GA. Brennan has performed with many honor bands, including the Atlanta
Youth Wind Symphony, District XIV Honor Band, Young Harris Honor Band, and
UGA Janfest. He enjoys working with many high school marching band programs as an instructor, including his alma mater Flowery Branch High School. While at UGA, he has been a member of the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, and multiple saxophone quartets. Brennan serves on the Redcoats Executive Board as the Woodwind Sergeant and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Executive board as Warden. Brennan hopes to one day become a band director in Georgia.
Maddi Finn
2nd Year, Bachelor of Music in Music Theory
Maddi Finn is a second-year Music Theory major from Buffalo, New York. She currently teaches music theory both as a private tutor and through the UGA Community Music School. She is a member of Society for Music Theory and plans to attend the upcoming 2023 Conference. In the fall of 2022, Maddi performed for Dr. Stephen Page in a master class at UGA. Prior to attending UGA, Maddi studied music theory at the Eastman Community Music School with Dr. Stephanie Venturino and saxophone with Dr. Anne Kunkle. She also attended the Eastman Saxophone Workshop where she took lessons with Dr. Chien-Kwan Lin, Professor of Saxophone at the Eastman School of Music. During high school, Maddi was selected to be a member of the New York All-State Symphonic Band. She is also a member of the International Saxophone Academy. Besides music, Maddi finds passion in mathematics, makeup, fashion, and Catholic life. Maddi’s primary saxophone teachers have included Anne Kunkle, Brandon Quarles, and Connie Frigo.
Sadie Landon
2nd Year, Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy
Sadie Landon is a second-year undergraduate Music Therapy major from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Sadie currently plays in UGA’s Symphonic Band and the Redcoat Marching Band. Before attending UGA, Sadie found her passion for marching band while a member of the Wando High School Marching Band. The band has won many regional championships and holds the South Carolina record for wins at the state championship – fourteen in a row. Individually, Sadie played in the Rose Parade and at Disneyland through Bands of America. She studied saxophone privately with Dr. Neal Postma and Dr. Mark Sterbank of Charleston Southern University. As a music therapist, Sadie hopes to help struggling populations through the healing power of music. In her spare time, she is a swim instructor and lifeguard and loves to play Dungeons and Dragons with her friends.
Ashley Emerton
2nd Year, Bachelor of Music in Music Education
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Ashley Emerton (she/her) is from Bremen, Georgia. She is currently a member of the UGA Symphonic Band where she is the principal alto saxophone player. She has performed as a member of the District VII Honor Band and the Georgia All-State Band, where she placed first chair twice. Ashley was a member of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony and attended the 2021 Interlochen Saxophone Intensive with Dr. Timothy McAllister. She chose to major in Music Education because music has always been a safe space for her, and she would like to create that same experience for her future students. She hopes to teach elementary music or middle school band and spark a passion for music in the next generation. Her hobbies outside of music include crocheting, spending time with her three dogs, baking, and spending time with her friends.
Aidan Eclavea
1st Year, Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Performance
Aidan Eclavea (He/Him) is a first-year Vocal Performance and Instrumental Music Education double major from Martinez, GA. He graduated from Lakeside High School in Evans, GA, where he was involved in many musical organizations. Aidan was Vice President and President of the school’s Tri-M chapter and was a member of the Concert Choir and the Soundsation show choir. Aidan is currently an arranger for Soundsation’s competition shows. As a saxophonist, he performed with Lakeside’s Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and the Pride of the Panthers Marching Band, for which he was drum major for two years. He has also participated in numerous honor bands and choirs at district and state levels. In 2018, he co-founded the Brown Paper Bags Saxophone Quartet—a touring quartet that set out to inspire new musicians. After graduation, Aidan plans to pursue a graduate degree in conducting.
Emily Johnson
1st Year, Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Emily Johnson is a first-year music education major from Cumming, Georgia. She
graduated from North Forsyth High School, where she participated in the District IX Honor Band, Solo and Ensemble festivals, small saxophone ensembles, and her school’s Wind Ensemble. Emily was also drum major of North Forsyth’s marching band for two years and attended and performed at UGA’s JanFest. Currently, Emily is part of the UGA Symphonic Band and Redcoat Marching Band. Throughout high school, she taught after-school group lessons to middle school saxophone students, and in her senior year of high school, Emily interned with the North Forsyth Middle School Band. She was able to obtain real classroom experience through teaching, making connections with students, and planning events and concerts. Emily has a strong passion for music education, and she’s beyond excited to create an environment for younger students to be able to learn and grow as musicians.
Jackson Tadlock
1st Year, Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Jackson Tadlock, from Taylorsville, GA, is a first-year Music Education major. She is currently a member of UGA’s Symphonic Band and the Redcoat Marching Band. She graduated from Woodland High School, where she studied saxophone privately with Marc Johnson. With the Woodland Band, Jackson performed at the GMEA conference, UGA Janfest, and the London New Year’s Day Parade. She also led the Woodland saxophone quartet and served as a section leader and drum major in the marching band. Jackson has performed as a member of the District VII Honor Band, District VII Jazz Band, UGA Janfest Band, and the Georgia All-State Honor Band. Additionally, she was selected to attend the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program in the summer of 2021. Jackson aspires to teach elementary music in order to give children a safe place to express their creativity and cultivate a lifelong love of music.
Jon Erik Tripp
1st Year, Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Jon Erik Tripp (he/him) is a first-year Music Education major at the University of Georgia and is a member of both the Redcoat Marching Band and the UGA Wind Ensemble. Jon Erik is from Lavonia, Georgia where he graduated from Franklin County High School. While in high school, he was a dedicated member of the music program where he performed with the concert band, jazz band, and marching band, serving as the drum major for three years. Jon Erik has performed in various honor bands such as the GMEA All-State Band, District Honor Band, and UGA’s JanFest Bands. Jon Erik is a proud alumnus of the 2022 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program where he studied saxophone and performed in a saxophone quartet. Prior to attending UGA, he studied the saxophone privately with Dr. Stan Flanders for three years. He hopes to grow and inspire others to participate and support the arts during his time at UGA.