Justin Evangelist

Title: Assistant Lecturer
Dept/Program: Assistant Lecturer, Saxophone
Office: Guzzetta Hall 370
Phone: 330-972-7590
Email: jevangel@uakron.edu

Biography

Justin Evangelist is a dynamic performer of solo works and chamber music from Akron, OH. He has appeared throughout the United States in a variety of settings performing new works for saxophone as well as other classical and contemporary literature. An advocate for new music, Evangelist has commissioned or premiered several new works that include the saxophone in a variety of settings by composers such as Dustin Schulze, Sepehr Pirasteh, Cody Ray, and Kyrre Sassebo Haaland.

Evangelist’s playing has been recognized at the state, regional, and national level. As a chamber musician, he has earned spots as a national finalist in the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music competition, North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet competition, and semifinalist in the Coltman Chamber Music competition. Evangelist’s solo playing has earned him several awards, including winner of the 2019 University of Akron Concerto Competition and 2017 MTNA (OH) Young Artist Woodwind competition. He regularly performs throughout the United States as a soloist and as a member of the Red Rose Duo, a chamber ensemble committed to performing and premiering new music for saxophone and clarinet.

Evangelist serves on the faculty at The University of Akron (UA) where he teaches saxophone and coaches chamber music. Prior to his position at UA, he taught saxophone and fine arts courses at Oklahoma Baptist University and Oklahoma City Community College. He is a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree with a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship at The University of Oklahoma, where he held a graduate assistantship in the saxophone and concert hall management areas. Evangelist holds a Master of Music degree from Central Michigan University, as well as a Bachelor of Music with a minor in Jazz Studies from the University of Akron. His primary teachers include Jonathan Nichol, John Nichol, Todd Gaffke, and Jack Schantz.  He is a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).