Thank you to my parents, grandparents, friends, and family for their continual love and support.

Thank you to the teachers Kendra Vair, Jessica May, Andrea Hollenbeck, and Spencer Poston for their mentorship in practicum and being genuinely amazing individuals.

Thank you to Bill and Brenda Schaaf for the C-Melody Saxophone. While not on display in this work, it plays beautifully.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to listen and experience this project.

Special acknowledgements can be found below to those teachers and mentors who have helped directly with my musical, artistic, and educational journey throughout my degree.

Dr. T André Feagin - For showing me what it means to be unabashedly passionate in the pursuit of artistry, leadership, and, above all, excellence.

Dr. T André Feagin - For showing me what it means to be unabashedly passionate in the pursuit of artistry, leadership, and, above all, excellence.

Professor Peter Sommer - For his unwavering mentorship and teaching me to pursue the truth in music through discipline, perseverance, and positivity.

Professor Peter Sommer - For his unwavering mentorship and teaching me to pursue the truth in music through discipline, perseverance, and positivity.

Neil Welch - For expanding my perspective of the possibilities of the glorious saxophone and showing me how to infuse passion in everything I do.

Neil Welch - For expanding my perspective of the possibilities of the glorious saxophone and showing me how to infuse passion in everything I do.

Dr. Erik Johnson - For showing me what it means to put the student first and how to expand the possibilities of music education.

Dr. Erik Johnson - For showing me what it means to put the student first and how to expand the possibilities of music education.

Professor Wil Swindler - For teaching me to think beyond the page and encouraging me to take risks in my playing.

Professor Wil Swindler - For teaching me to think beyond the page and encouraging me to take risks in my playing.

Dr. Seth Pendergast - For showing me the intersectional importance of knowledge, experience, and innovation, and that any challenge can be solved through a little creativity and hard work.

Dr. Seth Pendergast - For showing me the intersectional importance of knowledge, experience, and innovation, and that any challenge can be solved through a little creativity and hard work.

Dr. Bonnie Jacobi - For showing me the value of the young mind and being a jubilant mentor in education, self-discipline, and excellence.

Dr. Bonnie Jacobi - For showing me the value of the young mind and being a jubilant mentor in education, self-discipline, and excellence.

Dr. Dan Goble - For teaching me that even the hardest of challenges can be accomplished through their smallest parts with discipline and confidence.

Dr. Dan Goble - For teaching me that even the hardest of challenges can be accomplished through their smallest parts with discipline and confidence.

Mr. Sebastian Adams - For being one of my oldest and most supportive mentors and always allowing me the opportunities for creativity and leadership.

Mr. Sebastian Adams - For being one of my oldest and most supportive mentors and always allowing me the opportunities for creativity and leadership.

Mr. Ryan Bigley - For his steadfast confidence and mentorship and instilling in me a profound sense of drive and independence.

Mr. Ryan Bigley - For his steadfast confidence and mentorship and instilling in me a profound sense of drive and independence.