Dr. Taylor Assad
Education:
B.M. and B.M.E. Louisiana State University
M.M. University of Florida
D.M.A. Louisiana State University
Courses:
MUED 227 – Woodwind Techniques
MUS 201 – Music Technology
MUS 323 – Form and Analysis
MUS 423 – Form and Analysis II
MUS 296/396 – Jazz Band
PERFORMANCE COURSES:
MUS 161, 162, 171, 172, 261, 262, 271, 272, 371, 372, 400, 471, 472
Bio:
Dr. Taylor Assad is an active member of the professional saxophone community and has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Croatia, France, Scotland, New York, Chicago, and numerous other cities across the United States. As an advocate for new music, she has premiered works for solo saxophone, saxophone and live electronics, saxophone and fixed media, saxophone duo, saxophone quartet, and various chamber ensembles. Dr. Assad has performed at the World Saxophone Congress, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival, at Music Educator’s National and State Conferences, the Electric LaTex Festival, New Music DePaul, the University of Florida Contemporary Music Festival, and at North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial and Regional Conferences.
As a jazz musician and doubler, Dr. Assad performed with industry greats such as the Four Tops, Johnny Mathis, Kristin Chenoweth, and the Harry James Jazz Orchestra. She has performed with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, the Baton Rouge Symphony, and the Louisiana Sinfonietta. In addition, she performs regularly with the professional saxophone chamber ensemble, Quartetto Obrigado, and with Minos the Saint, an eclectic chamber-folk ensemble with Cajun and Zydeco influence with elements from the Eastern European, Latin, and jazz traditions.
Dr. Assad has degrees with concentrations in Music Education, Music Performance, and Arts Administration. Additionally, she studied with Timothy McAllister at Interlochen Arts Camp. Her teachers include saxophonists Griffin Campbell, Jonathan Helton, and Geoffrey Deibel.
Accomplishments:
Dr. Assad’s work in the commissioning of various compositional projects led her to research the relationships between composers and performers, specifically examining case studies of completed commissioned new works for solo saxophone and electronics. Her dissertation is titled “Insights into the Collaborative Process between Electronic Music Composers and Commissioning Saxophonists.”
Students of Dr. Assad’s private studio have routinely made the Louisiana All-State Symphonic, Concert, and Jazz Bands. As an educator, Dr. Assad has given clinics and masterclasses for students and music educators across Louisiana and in the Gainesville, Florida areas. She was a guest clinician at the 2019 Louisiana Music Educators Association Conference and also at Eastern New Mexico University.
Dr. Assad is a Selmer Paris Performing Artist for Conn-Selmer, Inc. and an Artist-Clinician for Vandoren.
