Connor James Mikula is a Distinguished Fellow at Michigan State University, pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance, studying with Professor Joe Lulloff. He earned a Masters of Music in Saxophone Performance from University of Michigan, studying with Dr. Timothy McAllister and Bachelors of Music in Saxophone Performance with a minor in Jazz from Michigan State University, studying with Professor Joe Lulloff and Professor Diego Rivera. Walking on the Ceiling, Connor’s first CD, was released by Blue Griffin Records (2017). He performed the world premiere of the CD’s title piece at the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg, France in 2015. Connor was chosen a Yamaha Young Performing Artist, a national competition which recognizes outstanding young musicians from the world of classical, jazz and contemporary music. Connor has won competitions in the U.S. and Europe including: Winner, New Music Sessions solo competition in Cortona, Italy; winner, Winds/Percussion Division, University of Michigan Concerto Competition; winner, National Lima Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition; winner, Midwest Young Artists Walgreens National Concerto Competition, Woodwinds; winner, Norbert Mueller Concerto Competition; winner, Grand Rapids Symphonic Band Competition; and winner, Senior Division State and East Central Finals of the MTNA’s National Competition. Will Healy is a composer and pianist based in New York. Noted for his "lushly bluesy" sound and "adroitly blended... textures" (New York Times), he is the artistic director of ShoutHouse, an ensemble of 15 hip-hop, jazz, and classical musicians. After his time playing trumpet in an Afrobeat band, he grew interested in collaborating with performers from many corners of the New York music scene. In addition, he is an accomplished pianist specializing in Bach, with a repertoire that includes the complete Goldberg Variations and WTC Book 1. Recent awards include a Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, an ASCAP Morton Gould Award, a 2017 JFund commission, and prizes in the Juilliard and Kaleidoscope Orchestra Composition Competitions. Healy was the recipient of the Richard Rodgers Scholarship at The Juilliard School, where he studied with John Corigliano. 

http://connorjamesmikula.com

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