Robert Young

Bio//

 

Robert Young has been acclaimed for his “effortless expression and a facile technique” and the “true mastery of his instrument” (The Saxophonist Magazine).  Dr. Young maintains an active schedule as a soloist and educator including guest appearances at universities and colleges across the country.

 

His highlights include performances with the PRISM Quartet, The Crossing, Chris Potter, Ravi Coltrane, Uri Caine, Charlotte Symphony, Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra, and University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra.  As a chamber musician Robert, as part of a collaboration with The Crossing, performed with the PRISM Quartet on the GRAMMY Award-winning album “Gavin Bryars: The Fifth Century” (available on ECM Recordings).  As an active soloist and chamber musician, Dr. Young has been invited as a featured concerto soloist at the XVIII World Saxophone Congress (Zagreb, Croatia) and the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance conference (Tempe, Arizona). In 2023 Young appeared as a concerto soloist with the United States Navy Band at the International Saxophone Symposium. 

 

Robert holds a teaching position at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts as the Associate Professor of Saxophone.  Dr. Young’s students have received honors at several local, regional and national competitions and they have been featured at several clinics and conferences throughout the country.  He previously has served on the faculties of The Crane School of Music - SUNY Potsdam and Wichita State University.

 

Dr. Young earned his Doctor of Musical Arts (2010) and Master of Music (2008) degrees in saxophone performance from the University of Michigan where he studied with Professor Donald Sinta. At the University of Michigan, he studied jazz saxophone with Dr. Andrew Bishop and was a recipient of the Lawrence Teal Fellowship. Young received a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina (2006) in saxophone performance where he studied with Dr. Clifford Leaman.