Austin C

M.M. in Jazz Studies from Northern Illinois University (2013-2015)

B.M. in Jazz Studies from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (2008-2012)

I have performed all across the United States at several highly esteemed venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in New York City, The Sheldon Concert Hall and Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis, The Jazz Showcase in Chicago, and the JEN conference in Dallas in 2014. I have toured extensively throughout the Midwest as a part of the Northern Illinois Jazz Ensemble and the Rosebud Jazztet serving as both a performer and clinician to high school and college students that express an interest in jazz. Since 2012 I have been a regular performer at the Illinois Music Educators Association. From 2008-2013 I worked regularly in the St. Louis area as a sideman for big bands, rhythm and blues bands, small jazz groups, and several well-established wedding bands, including Lenny Klinger’s Galaxy and Griffin and the Gargoyles. I have also led my own Jazz Quartet since 2012 that regularly gigs both in St. Louis and in the Chicago area. In 2015 I joined the Funky Butt Brass Band and am currently playing with them quite frequently. I have had the pleasure of working with with such luminaries as saxophonists Donald Harrison, Phil Woods, and Geof Bradfield, trumpeters Marquise Hill and Pharez Whitted, trombonists Michael Deese, Vincent Gardner and Tom Garling, guitarists Fareed Haque and Rick Haydon, pianists Willie Pickens and Peter Martin, drummers Eric Harland, Victor Lewis, and Montez Coleman, and bassists Rodney Whittaker and Marlene Rosenberg.

2015-Present: Woodwind Instructor, City Music. I teach private saxophone and clarinet lessons to students in both classical and jazz styles. Students range in age from 4th grade through college level.  

2015-2016: Music Educator, Palmer Music.I taught groups of middle school students how to read and perform music. Instruments included guitar, piano, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, and snare drum.  

2013-2015: Graduate Assistant, Northern Illinois University. Responsibilities include teaching Music Appreciation to non-music majors, Music Theory classes to music majors, directing the University Jazz Ensemble, and teaching lessons to undergraduate saxophone students.  

2013-Present: Jazz Clinician for High Schools I have served as a clinician to dozens of high school jazz ensembles throughout the greater Chicago area. Topics covered include swing-feel, jazz language and phrasing, ensemble blend, listening, improvisation and basic musicianship.  

2010-2012: Teaching Assistant, Southern Illinois University Jazz Camp Responsibilities included teaching ear-training/aural skills, Jazz Repertoire, Improvisation and directing jazz combos.  

2008-Present: Private Saxophone/Clarinet Instructor I teach how to perform music in both classical and jazz styles to students from a wide range of ages and of varying skill degrees. Subjects covered include music theory, technique, sound, etudes, swing-feel, jazz language, improvisation, etc…