Education:

(In Progress) D.M.A., Saxophone Performance, University of South Carolina
M.M., Saxophone Performance, Ithaca College, 2004
B.M., Music Theory, Furman University, 2002

Biography:

Saxophonist Ian Jeffress teaches applied saxophone and coaches saxophone chamber ensembles, as well as courses in music theory.

Prior to his appointment at Western Carolina, Mr. Jeffress served on the faculties of Allen University and the Palmetto Center for the Arts. He also served as a graduate teaching assistant at both USC and Ithaca College. His principal teachers include Clifford Leaman and Steven Mauk, and he has participated in masterclasses with renowned saxophonists including Arno Bornkamp, James Umble, and the Zagreb Saxophone Quartet.

Ian Jeffress was a finalist in the MTNA Young Artist competition and a semifinalist in the Fischoff Chamber Music competition, and he has performed at venues such as the World Saxophone Congress XIII, the Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, and numerous meetings of the North American Saxophone Alliance. Additionally, he has performed as saxophonist with the Charleston and Asheville Symphony Orchestras, as well appearing as soloist with the Cornell University Symphonic Band and the composers' forum Tabula Rasa.

Ian Jeffress is a dedicated proponent of the music of our time. His doctoral research focuses on stylistic considerations in the saxophone music of the Pulitzer prizewinning composer Leslie Bassett, and he has been consistently involved in commissioning and premiering new music for the instrument, including works by James Matheson, Lewis Spratlan, Shih-hui Chen, and Jacob ter Veldhuis.