Affiliate Artist, Saxophone
Saxophonist Fred Winkler has become one of the leading concert saxophonists in the Pacific Northwest performing frequently as a soloist and chamber musician. An advocate of new music, Mr. Winkler has been involved in the premieres of many compositions for saxophone, including his own arrangement of the Dvorak Piano Quintet Op. 81, which was nationally premiered at the 2011 MTNA Chamber Music Competition held in Milwaukee, WI. Mr. Winkler has performed as part of the Northwest Sinfonietta, Spokane Symphony, Federal Way Symphony, Seattle Philharmonic, Olympia Symphony, Washington/Idaho Symphony, Marrowstone Music Festival, University of Washington Contemporary Music Group, Jacobsen Concert Series, Olympia Symphony, Zephyr Contemporary Music Ensemble, and the Couer d’Alene Summer Theatre Orchestra.
Nationally recognized as a music teacher, many of his students are accepted into the best graduate music schools in the country. Frequently his students are rated with top honors at state, regional, and national competitions, most recently the MTNA competition for woodwinds and chamber music, Beatrice Hermann competition for musicians, and the WMEA State Solo & Ensemble Contest. Mr. Winkler received his undergraduate degree from Washington State University, studying with saxophonist and composer Dr. Gregory W. Yasinitsky, and his MMus from Northwestern University, studying with renowned saxophonist Dr. Frederick L. Hemke. Currently, Mr. Winkler is on the faculty of University of Puget Sound as an affiliate artist, faculty of the community music department, and coordinator for the community chamber music program.
Mr. Winkler writes, “I enjoy working with fine aspiring students and I enjoy teaching with an outstanding faculty and staff.”