Saxophonist Mikayla Peterson to Perform April 10 at UW

University of Wyoming alumna Mikayla Peterson will return to UW, where she was once a Dorothy Jacoby Concerto Competition winner, for a guest artist recital accompanied by pianist Jiwon Han.

The free, public performance, presented by the UW Department of Music, will take place Friday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts recital hall.

Now a member of the faculty at both the University of North Texas, where she also is a distinguished alumna, and Southern Methodist University, Peterson has built an international career as a soloist and chamber musician. She maintains a private teaching studio and is a founding member and alto chair of the Lotus Saxophone Quartet, a Grammy-affiliate-nominated ensemble known for championing contemporary works by diverse composers.

The evening's program opens with "Summer Triangle" by Yukiko Nishimura, a lyrical, atmospheric work capturing twinkling stars through lush, impressionistic harmonies. Carter Pann's "The White Horse" is a spirited piece featuring rhythmic energy and colorful textures. Amy Beach's late romantic gem "Romance," originally composed for violin and piano, is a highly emotive work featuring long, soaring melodic lines. Astor Piazzolla's "Tango Esqualo" is a high-octane rhythmic tour de force featuring the sharp accents of nuevo tango. Closing the program is John Worley's "Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano," a staple of classical saxophone repertoire noted for its neoromantic style and its technical demands.

Beyond the stage, Peterson is a passionate advocate for equality in music education, whose research into the lived experiences of female saxophonists informs her mission to create inclusive, creative spaces for the next generation of performers.

For more information, call Jennifer Turpen at (307) 766-5242 or mail [email protected] .