Landon Chang

Originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Landon Chang is a saxophonist, composer, and educator dedicated to reshaping the landscape of contemporary music. He serves as Professor of Saxophone at Roberts Wesleyan University and the University at Buffalo, and is on faculty at the Eastman Summer Saxophone Institute. Beyond the classroom, Chang is deeply dedicated to the development of chamber music, serving as Assistant Director and chief arranger of the internationally recognized Eastman Saxophone Project, Founder and Executive Director of the Project Nova saxophone sextet, and co-founder of duo 26/30 alongside Milwaukee Symphony clarinetist Besnik Abrashi.

As a creator, Chang bridges the gap between performance and composition. His original works have earned national recognition and were featured on the WQXR Young Artist Public Showcase, and he was named a national finalist in the 2026 MTNA Young Artist Composition Competition. As an arranger, his published transcriptions are performed by student and professional ensembles worldwide. This commitment to expanding the saxophone repertoire is driven by deep collaboration, having commissioned and premiered works by vital emerging voices like Kate Ragan, Isaac Boone, Marlies Hollevoet, and Roon Torka. On the stage, Chang has been featured as a soloist with the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" and the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, and has presented guest masterclasses and lectures at the University of Idaho, Eastern Washington University, Roberts Wesleyan University, Nazareth University, and the Eastman Summer Saxophone Institute. An acclaimed competitor, he holds top prizes from the Yamaha Young Performing Artists, Vandoren Emerging Artist, North American Saxophone Alliance, MTNA Young Artist, Musicfest Northwest Young Artist, and U.S. Army Band Collegiate Solo competitions, in addition to competing globally at the 2023 Adolphe Sax International Competition in Dinant, Belgium.

Chang is currently finishing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music with a related field in jazz, where he also earned his Master’s degree and a Certificate in Arts Leadership. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Texas with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Saxophone Performance, receiving the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award and the TMEA Collegiate Music Educator Award. As an educator, his teaching integrates classical and jazz fluency to prepare students for today’s evolving field. This interest in instructional methodology extends to a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, also allowing him to uniquely apply language-acquisition pedagogy to musical training. Away from the saxophone and teaching, he enjoys reading, learning languages, and exploring the outdoors across the greater Rochester area.