Project Fusion, Quartet

Biography

Project Fusion is a budding saxophone quartet chamber ensemble dedicated to advancing the artistic possibilities of collaboration in music-making. Formed in the autumn of 2010 at the Eastman School of Music, Project Fusion has attracted national attention and critical acclaim as well as winning consecutive top prizes in several national and international chamber music competitions. Recently, Project Fusion won the Senior Wind Division Gold Medal in the 2013 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and became the first saxophone quartet to claim Grand Prize at the 2013 Plowman International Chamber Music Competition.

Dannel Espinoza (soprano saxophone) currently resides in Rochester, NY where he is adjunct professor of saxophone at Roberts Wesleyan College and is pursuing a DMA in Saxophone Performance and Literature at the Eastman School. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance at Northern Arizona University and a Master’s in Music Performance from Florida State University. An avid soloist, Dannel has performed throughout North America, Europe and China. As a chamber musician, Dannel is currently a member of the Mana Quartet and the Mana Duo.

Matt Amedio (alto saxophone) recently graduated from the Eastman School of Music with dual Bachelor of Music degrees in saxophone performance and music education. Matt also earned a Performer’s Certificate at the Eastman, the highest performance distinction awarded at the conservatory. An active soloist and chamber musician, Matt has performed throughout the US, as well as in France, Germany, Salzburg, and the Czech Republic. He will begin studies for his Master’s degree in Saxophone Performance and Literature at Northwestern University in the fall.

Michael Sawzin (tenor saxophone) is currently living in Rochester, NY where he is completing his Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance and Literature and his Master of Arts degree in Music Education. He previously completed dual Bachelor of Music degrees with Honors in Music Education and Saxophone Performance from Wright State University in Dayton, OH. As a member of the Avion Saxophone Quartet, Michael performed at the International Symposium for Music Education in Bologna, Italy. Avion released their first CD in 2009 featuring two world premieres.

Matt Evans (baritone saxophone) is currently pursuing a DMA in Saxophone Performance and Literature and an MA in Music Theory Pedagogy at Eastman where he is a graduate teaching assistant and current saxophone instructor at the Eastman Community Music School. Matt has performed and taught throughout the US as well as in Thailand, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan. He has garnered awards in several national competitions and he participated in Düsseldorf, Germany and in the 3rd Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition in Bangkok, Thailand.