Troy Atkins

After a brief football career at Hammond High (Columbia, MD) and Chowan University (Murfreesboro, NC), I decided to hang up the pads for the saxophone. At Chowan University, I began studying classical saxophone with Chesapeake Virginia area saxophonist James Nesbitt. Mr. Nesbitt taught me the fundamentals needed to transfer to East Carolina University (Greenville, NC).While under the tutelage of ECU professors Dr. Jeff Bair (saxophone) and Prof. Carroll V. Dashiell (Jazz Studies/bass), I continued to hone my skills in classical and jazz saxophone. As a member of the ECU Jazz Ensemble A, I gained valuable tour experience and got the opportunity play at great places such as Birdland and the JVC Jazz Festival.In 2005, I graduated from ECU with a B.M. in Saxophone and began graduate studies at Towson University (Towson, MD). During my attendance at Towson, I studied with Prof. Jeff Antoniuk (saxophone), Prof. Dave Ballou (Jazz/Commercial Division and Trumpet), Josh Davis (former head of the Jazz/Commercial Division), and Tim Murphy (Piano). Under these gentlemen, I gained great instruction in the areas of jazz musicianship and composition.I received my Masters in Jazz/Commercial Performance in 2007.Currently, I am a freelance musician, recording artist, church musician at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran (Baltimore), St. Luke Lutheran, and a private teacher at Mike’s Music (Ellicott City, MD).