Robert Young

Biography

Hailed as “uncommonly expressive… and technically prodigious” (San Francisco Classical Voice), Robert Young is a soloist and chamber musician known for his musicianship, virtuosity, and authenticity. Praised for his “effortless expression and facile technique” (The Saxophonist Magazine), Young maintains an active career fueled by a deep desire to create an enthusiasm for the classical saxophone and to connect deeply with audiences through his artistry.

As a soloist, Young’s recent highlights include a celebrated performance of Guillaume Connesson’s acrobatic concerto, A Kind of Trane, with the Berkeley Symphony. His commanding presence has led to solo appearances with premier ensembles across the country, including the Omaha Symphony, The Florida Orchestra, and the North Carolina Symphony. He has further appeared as a concerto soloist with the United States Navy Band, the Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra, and the Zagreb Soloists (Croatia). His artistry has afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse array of icons, ranging from the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings to jazz legends Chris Potter and Ravi Coltrane.

An active chamber musician, Young collaborated with The Crossing and the PRISM Quartet on the GRAMMY Award-winning album Gavin Bryars: The Fifth Century, a performance lauded by The New York Times as “superb” and “eloquent.” His work with the PRISM Quartet includes residencies at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Shepherd School of Music (Rice University), as well as featured performances on the albums The Curtis Project, Heritage/Evolution, Vol. 2, and The Book of Days.

Currently a member of the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Young is a dedicated educator whose students frequently earn top honors at regional and national competitions. He previously served on the faculties of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam). Robert Young is a Conn-Selmer Artist, performing exclusively on Selmer saxophones, and serves as a D’Addario Artist/Clinician and Key Leaves ambassador.

SPECIALTIES:
Audition prep
Classical saxophone
Fundamentals

LANGUAGES:
English