Session Proposals

Myles Boothroyd is a performing saxophonist, teacher, and music scholar. At home in the various realms of classical, jazz, and contemporary music, he presents concert repertoire that crosses the boundaries of nations, cultures, and musical traditions. Boothroyd serves as Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Oklahoma and has been a member of both the award-winning East End Quartet and the Wisconsin-based Generation Quartet. Additionally, his soprano saxophone playing with the Traverse City Saxophone Quartet is featured on the 2018 live album by Jeff Hass, Jazz at Sunset: Celebrating 25 Years.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Boothroyd has contributed to the creation of numerous new works for saxophone, including compositions by Martin Bresnick, Olivia Kieffer, Graham Lynch, Michael Markowski, Joel Martinson, and Mischa Zupko. His list of world premieres includes Symphony Cocteau by Graham Lynch (2018) and Triptych Fantasy by Joel Martinson (2019), the latter of which was performed with Doug Cleveland at the 2019 Convention of the Organ Historical Society in Dallas, Texas.

Boothroyd is active in the international saxophone community as a performer and administrator. He served as Program Chair for the 2024 North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Biennial Conference and as a program committee member for the 2023 NASA Conference. He previously earned top national prizes in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Solo and Chamber Music Competitions, the NASA Collegiate Solo Competition, and the Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition.

Along with maintaining an active performing career, Boothroyd distinguishes himself as a researcher and scholar. He is Editor of The Saxophone Symposium, a peer-reviewed journal and the premier publication of saxophone literature, performance, and pedagogy in North America. His articles have been published in Nota Bene and in The Eastman Case Studies, and he has shared original research at conferences in Chicago, Cincinnati, Honolulu, Lansing, and Montreal.

Boothroyd formerly served as Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he was also appointed Associate Director of the Very Young Composers of Central Wisconsin. Before then, he taught as Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York. Boothroyd holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (Saxophone), a Master of Music (Saxophone), and a Master of Arts (Music Theory Pedagogy) from the Eastman School of Music. He also holds the Eastman Arts Leadership Certificate, Eastman Performer’s Certificate, and the University of Rochester’s Edward Peck Curtis Award for excellence in teaching by a graduate student. Boothroyd received his Bachelor of Music Education from Central Michigan University. His primary teachers have been John Nichol and Chien-Kwan Lin, and he has studied in lessons and masterclasses with Vincent David, Lars Mlekusch, Doug O’Connor, Taimur Sullivan, and James Umble.

“What is the one goal, if completed, that could change everything?”

This question is taken from the blog of author Tim Ferriss, who skyrocketed to international fame after the publication of his 2007 book “The Four-Hour Work Week.” While the principles of Ferriss’ book are targeted toward traditional office workers, the lessons of many productivity gurus (including Tim Ferriss, Cal Newport, David Allen, and Celeste Headlee) are rarely taught or discussed formally in the music academy. For over a decade, I have fine-tuned systems of productivity to better advise students, make meaningful contributions to my professional circles, and maintain focus on the important tasks that have the potential for life-changing impact. This discussion-based workshop is aimed at all students and early-career professionals who can identify the important work they need to do but constantly find themselves with too little time to do it. In this session, we will “dig deeply” into principles, tactics, and mindsets that shift our focus as musicians from being efficient to being effective, to spending time and attention on what matters, and on making space to hone one’s competitive advantage by enhancing strengths rather than fixing weaknesses. There is no replacement for a focused, intense practice or planning session—but there are many untapped tools for crafting a lifestyle that makes this kind of experience the norm. My goal is for attendees to walk away feeling empowered, energized, and inspired by what is possible when “busyness” is stripped away.

• Band - Secondary
• Choral - Secondary
• Orchestra - Secondary
• Collegiate
• Mentorship/Beginning Teachers