Jack Govern is a first-year doctoral student in Saxophone Performance and Literature at the University of Iowa, where he studies with Dr. Kenneth Tse. An alumnus of the University of Illinois, Jack earned his Bachelor of Music under the instruction of Professor Debra Richtmeyer and his Master of Music under Dr. Nicki Roman.

Jack has studied and performed in a variety of settings throughout the United States and Europe. He was recently named a finalist in the 2025 MTNA Young Artist Competition and a semifinalist in the 2024 and 2026 North American Saxophone Alliance Solo Competitions. As a member of the Eos Saxophone Quartet, he received second place in the 2023 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. At Iowa, Jack is an active member of the graduate saxophone quartet and saxophone ensemble.

Chris is from Argyle, Texas. He is completing a DMA in Saxophone Performance at the University of Iowa with Dr. Kenneth Tse. He earned his MA in Saxophone Performance at The University of Iowa and his BM in Music Studies with a teaching certification from The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Dr. Stephen Page. Chris is an active solo and chamber music performer and educator in Iowa City. He has competed at Coltman, Fischoff, MTNA, and NASA conferences as a soloist and chamber musician. He received 3rd place in the 2025 MTNA Young Artist Woodwind Division and 1st place in the 7th Annual Coltman Chamber Music Competition Senior Mixed Instrumental Division. He teaches saxophone and clarinet lessons at West Music. In his free time, Chris enjoys playing video games and drinking arguably too much coffee.
 

Born in Taoyuan, Taiwan, Hung Lin was introduced to music at a young age, mostly because his parents made him. He joined his elementary school’s saxophone club and began the life of playing “Jingle Bells” on the playground. What started with a little push from his parents eventually grew into something he truly loved. He went on to study music for the next ten years, and now he is getting ready to begin his studies at the University of Iowa. He hopes to share his passion for music and the music he loves with others. 

Hailing from the small town of Omak, Washington, saxophonist Jordan Marbach is creating his career as an active soloist and chamber musician. He was a finalist in the Bowling Green State University’s concerto competition in 2023 and won Western Washington University’s concerto competition in 2021. He is also an active performer in saxophone quartets, performing at conferences and competitions. Jordan has received a Bachelor of Music from Western Washington University, a Master of Music from Bowling Green State University, and is now attending the University of Iowa in pursuit of a Doctor of Musical Arts. 

Gavin Martellotti is a saxophonist and doctoral student at the University of Iowa. He previously studied at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of North Florida with Dr. Nathan Mertens and Dr. Michael Bovenzi.

As an active performer, Gavin has appeared at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial and Regional Conferences, the Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, and the American Single Reed Summit, where he premiered works by Nicole Knorr, Luke Savage, and Ked Adams

A previous member of the Skyline Saxophone Quartet, he was a semifinalist in the North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition and a finalist in the Ekstrand Competition.

Gavin was the 2024 Colorado State Music Teachers Association Young Artist Woodwinds Competition winner and a 2025 finalist in the Arlington Philharmonic Society Young Artist Competition

Gavin is active as an educator and conductor. His teaching experience includes saxophone instruction at the University of Colorado Boulder Summer Music Academy and a guest lecture through the university’s Precollegiate Art Program. He has also served as guest conductor of the University of North Florida Concert Band and conductor of the First Coast Flute Choir.

Zhuo Wang, artist of the Beijing Adolf International Saxophone Research Institution. He was admitted to Middle School Attached to China Conservatory of Music with first ranking in 2016, where he studied with saxophone educator, Professor Manlong Li. In 2021, he was accepted to China Conservatory of Music with excellent grades and began his study with saxophonist, Dr. Jiaqi Zhao.

Zhuo is the first prize recipient of the “Beautiful Melody; Journey of China” The First National Saxophone Arts Exhibition Youth Group. Third prize winner of the 2025 Singapore International Saxophone Summit Conference and Competition. The Second Glasunow International Saxophone Competition third prize winner. He is also the second prize recipient of the Second China Conservatory of Music Chamber Music Competition, and the China Conservatory of Music Concerto Competition. Zhuo was also selected for the Top Talent Training Program of China Conservatory of Music.

Zhuo will start his Master of Arts Saxophone Performance at University of Iowa School of Music in 2025 under the tutelage of Distinguished Chair Professor of Saxophone, Dr. Kenneth Tse.

Thomas Drummond is currently pursuing his Doctoral degree in saxophone performance at the University of Iowa studying with Dr. Kenneth Tse. Prior to attending Iowa, Thomas earned both his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of South Carolina while studying with Dr. Clifford Leaman. A regular performer, Thomas has performed at the International Navy Band Symposium, the North American Saxophone Alliance regional and national conferences, and the American Single Reed Summit. Thomas Drummond was most recently the baritone saxophone chair of the GQ saxophone quartet. His primary instructors include Dr. Clifford Leaman, Bryson Borgstedt, and Mandy Sloan. He has also participated in master classes with the New Century Saxophone Quartet, Phillip Giess, Joseph Lallo, and Christopher Creviston. Thomas has placed and received honorable mentions at numerous competitions including 1st prize in the Great Composers Music of the Centuries Competition Series and 1st prize in the 2018 state level MTNA Chamber Music Competition.

Maria Torres-Melgares awarded with more than 20 international prizes in solo and chamber music competitions is a Spanish saxophonist based in the US deeply rooted in her Hispanic heritage, sharing music that connects cultures and nationalities. She has collaborated with the New World Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and European Union Young Woodwind Orchestra. Besides performing, she’s a social media intern at the artist agency Sheldon Artists. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master’s of Music and two certificates in “Arts Entrepreneurship and Leadership” and “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” after studying her Bachelor’s at the Conservatory of Liceu, in Barcelona, and is currently a DMA candidate at the University of Iowa.

Yang Zhou, saxophonist, was born in Dali, China in 1996. Yang received his Master of Arts in Saxophone Performance from Truman State University, where he studied with Dr. Xin Gao. Yang graduated from Sichuan conservatory of music in China where he received his bachelor ‘s degree. He was selected as the winner of graduate division of the 2021 MMTA (Missouri Music Teachers Association) Collegiate Woodwind Graduate State Level Competitioin, the runner up of 2020 MMTA, same year he won the Gold Medal Concerto Competition at Truman State University. Yang has been accepted by the University of Iowa School of Music and will join Dr. Kenneth Tse’s saxophone studio in the fall of 2022 to pursue his doctoral degree.