Kendal Blumenthal, born in St. Louis, Missouri, is a dedicated saxophonist and educator with a passion for both classical and jazz music. She recently graduated from the University of Missouri–Kansas City with a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance degree. Kendal holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Saxophone Performance and Jazz Studies from Missouri State University.

With extensive experience as a performer, Kendal has played with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Missouri Jazz Orchestra, and in numerous theatre productions. She has appeared as a concerto soloist with Missouri State University’s Wind Ensemble and has shared the stage with jazz artists such as Antonio Hart, Chip McNeill, Emmet Cohen, Frank Greene, and Dick Oatts.

As an educator, Kendal maintains an active teaching schedule, working with middle and high school students in both individual and group settings. She previously served as an instructor at the UMKC Conservatory Academy and taught at the Dave Dickey Big Band Camp, where she provided instruction to young jazz musicians. Kendal aspires to a career in collegiate saxophone education, bridging the gap between classical and jazz traditions.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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. 

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.

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.

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.
 

Born in Beaverton, Oregon, Jonathan Hart received his Bachelor’s in Music Performance at the University of Oregon under Dr. Idit Shner and immediately began his Master’s in Arts from the University of Iowa with Dr. Kenneth Tse in 2017. Currently, Jonathan is continuing his studies with Dr. Tse, pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance in Pedagogy. Previously, Jonathan won the University of Oregon Concerto/Aria Competition in 2014, named Honorable Mention in the Eugene Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition in 2017, 2nd place in the Grande Ronde Symphony Concerto Competition in 2018, and named Honorable Mention in the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition in at the Iowa State level in 2018. Most recently, in October of 2019, Jonathan appeared in Dinant, Belgium, after being selected as one of the six Americans to play in the live rounds of the 7th Adolphe Sax International Competition. Jonathan has appeared in masterclasses with artists such as Otis Murphy, Clifford Leaman, Jonathan Bergeron, and José A. Zayas-Cabán.