Oklahoma City University Saxophone Studio

Help us welcome our next , Braden Stephen!

Braden graduated from Tarleton State University (‘25) with a Bachelor of Music Education. A passionate educator, Braden has taught private lessons at Brock, Stephenville, and Springtown ISD schools. He also brings strong performance experience, having played at TMEA with Tarleton’s wind ensemble (‘22) and saxophone ensemble (‘26), as well as invited performances at North American Saxophone Alliance conferences with the saxophone ensemble (‘24) and the Shogunate Quartet (‘26). Braden earned an honorable mention in Tarleton’s concerto competition and was a finalist in the Honors Recital. He also contributed to Tarleton State Jazz's debut album, "Deep Reverberations," where he played both alto sax and bassoon. Braden's teachers include Ricardo John Allen II and Derek Granger.

We can't wait to see how much you'll achieve!! 🎷💫💙

We’ve been selected! 🎷💫 Catch the OCU Saxophone Ensemble performing Kevin Day’s “Solace in the Wind,” for the Flute New Music Consortium Festival this October!

Help us welcome the newest , Amelia Rose Sheppard! 🎷💫

Amelia Rose Sheppard received her bachelor's in Music Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University and is from Leesburg, Virginia. She played principal bassoon in the VCU symphony as well as saxophone, clarinet, and english horn in the VCU wind ensemble and concert band. Amelia Rose's favorite performances were in the opera and musical theater pit orchestras, as well as her senior recital on bassoon.

Her favorite piece is The Five Sacred Trees by John Williams, and Amelia Rose is excited to dive deeper into all the woodwinds at OCU!

Welcome to the OCU Saxophone Studio, Nick Dorazil!

Nick comes to us from Waxahachie, Texas, where his musical journey began in 6th grade with the encouragement of his father. A graduate of Tarleton State University ('26) with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, Nicholas studied under Dr. Ricardo Allen II and Dr. Derek Granger at Tarleton and previously with Dr. Joshua Buckrucker at Navarro College. He brings an impressive performance résumé to OCU, having performed at TMEA in 2023 and 2026, appeared at 2024 and 2026 NASA conferences, and shared the stage with distinguished artists including Professor Doug Stone and MSG Marva Lewis. Most recently, he contributed baritone saxophone to Deep Reverberations, the debut album from Tarleton State Jazz.

Nick joins us as our new Jazz Graduate Assistant; in addition to his classical studies, he will also be studying jazz under Vince Norman and assisting with OCU Jazz Ensembles. We are thrilled to welcome him to the studio family and can't wait to see everything he accomplishes in this next chapter as a ! 🎷💫💙

🌟 Friday, May 29 at 6pm 🌟 Join Connor Cyrus and Arturo Alvarez for their performance at 1515 Lincoln Gallery! Help support the venue by enjoying some snacks, sips, and art at the event.

“Showcasing the remarkable versatility of the saxophone, the duo guides listeners through a rich soundscape spanning classical, romantic, tango, avant-garde, pop, jazz, and electronic genres. Rooted in Western art music yet globally influenced, the program also highlights works inspired by Argentina and Cape Town, South Africa.”

Address:

1515 Lincoln Gallery
1515 North Lincoln Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK, 73104

Thrilled to welcome Daniela Piña to the family this fall!

Daniela comes to us from Texas A&M University–Kingsville, where she’s finishing her BM in Music Education this spring. A multi-woodwind performer on saxophone, bassoon, and flute, with experiences from the Kingsville Symphony to national NASA and TMEA conferences, and her students are already earning spots in TMEA Region Jazz Band, UIL State Solo & Ensemble, and the Houston Underground Saxophone Competition finals. She also served as President of the South Texas Saxophone Association, bringing serious leadership experience to everything she does.

This fall, Daniela joins us as an MM student in Multiple Woodwinds Performance. We can’t wait to see what she brings to our studio and community! 🎷💫💙

Another big congrats to 2nd-year undergrad MUED and Performance double major Haley Smith, who was also accepted to attend the internationally-recognized Frederick L. Hemke Saxophone Institute this summer! Haley will also be studying with Taimur Sullivan, John Sampen, New Thread Quartet, and several other amazing saxophonists up in Maine. 🎷💫💙

Big congrats to Arturo Alvarez on his acceptance to the prestigious Frederick L. Hemke Saxophone Institute for summer study! As part of the experience, Arturo will study with some of the nation's leading saxophonists, including Taimur Sullivan (Northwestern University), New Thread Quartet, John Sampen (Bowling Green State University), and many others!

Arturo is doing some fundraising to help make the trip possible via raffle – only 11 spots are left! 3 prizes are possible: 3rd($150), 2nd($250), 1st($400). Reach out to Arturo claim your raffle spot today and support his trip to Snow Pond Center for the Arts. 🎷💫💙

Shoutout and congrats to Nat Rivet on adding a tenor saxophone to their collection - a fantastic Yamaha Custom EX. May you play it in good health! 🎷💫💙