About
(Scroll down for Teaching and Masterclasses)Originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Landon Chang is a saxophonist, composer, and educator dedicated to reshaping the landscape of contemporary music. A versatile force in both performance and pedagogy, he serves as Professor of Saxophone at the University at Buffalo and Roberts Wesleyan University, and is a faculty member at the Eastman Summer Saxophone Institute. Beyond the classroom, Chang is deeply dedicated to the development of chamber music, serving as Assistant Director and chief arranger of the internationally recognized Eastman Saxophone Project, Founder and Executive Director of the Project Nova saxophone sextet, and co-founder of duo 26/30 alongside Milwaukee Symphony clarinetist Besnik Abrashi.
Creative Work
As a creator, Chang bridges the gap between performance and composition. His original works have earned national recognition; his Sonata Idaho for soprano saxophone and piano was featured on the WQXR Young Artist Public Showcase, and he was named a national finalist in the 2026 MTNA Young Artist Composition Competition. As an arranger, his published transcriptions are performed by student and professional ensembles worldwide. This commitment to expanding the saxophone repertoire is driven by deep collaboration, having commissioned and premiered works by vital emerging voices like Kate Ragan, Isaac Boone, Marlies Hollevoet, and Roon Torka. On the stage, Chang has been featured as a soloist with the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" and the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, and has presented guest masterclasses and lectures at the University of Idaho, Eastern Washington University, Roberts Wesleyan University, and Nazareth University. An acclaimed competitor, he holds top prizes from the Yamaha Young Performing Artists, Vandoren Emerging Artist, North American Saxophone Alliance, MTNA Young Artist, Musicfest Northwest Young Artist, and U.S. Army Band Collegiate Solo competitions, in addition to competing globally at the 2023 Adolphe Sax International Competition in Dinant, Belgium.
Education
Chang is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music with a related field in jazz, where he also earned his Master’s degree and a Certificate in Arts Leadership. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Texas with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Saxophone Performance, receiving the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award and the TMEA Collegiate Music Educator Award. As an educator, his teaching integrates classical rigor with jazz fluency to prepare students for today’s evolving field. This interest in instructional methodology extends to a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, also allowing him to uniquely apply language-acquisition pedagogy to musical training. Away from the saxophone and teaching, he enjoys reading, learning languages, and exploring the outdoors across the greater Rochester area.
My approach to teaching is holistic, prioritizing technical precision, stylistic literacy, developing artistry, and learning to connect the human voice to the saxophone. I focus on developing independence with my students to ensure that work in the studio translates directly to artistic agency on the stage.
“Education must teach, reach, and vibrate the whole person rather than merely transfer knowledge.”
Teaching & Masterclasses
Guest Residencies & Masterclasses
I offer adaptable clinics and guest residencies for collegiate and secondary institutions, drawing on my pedagogical background to bridge high-level mechanics with professional versatility.
Performance Masterclasses: Interpretation, chamber music, and navigating stylistic dialects.
Technique Intensives: Deep dives into the physical mechanics of the saxophone, ergonomic efficiency, extended techniques and tone production.
Lectures: Specialized presentations on topics such as performance athletics, practice optimization, saxophone pedagogy, and career development. Highly adaptable.
Private Studio
A limited number of private lessons and consultation sessions are available in-person or virtually for advanced high school, collegiate, and professional saxophonists.
