Dannel Espinoza Named New Saxophone Professor at Southern Miss School of Music

Wed, 05/27/2020 - 02:15pm | By: Mike Lopinto

The University of Southern Mississippi, College of Arts and Sciences, and School of Music, proudly announce the appointment of Dr. Dannel Espinoza as Assistant Professor of Saxophone beginning in Fall 2020. Espinoza will be following long-time Professor of Saxophone, Dr. Lawrence Gwozdz who will be retiring in July 2020.

“The saxophone studio under Dr. Gwozdz has developed an international reputation over three decades, and we are delighted that Dr. Espinoza will become the applied professor in this very well-known studio,” said Dr. Jay Dean, Interim Director of the School of Music.

A native of south Florida, Espinoza completed his doctor of musical arts in saxophone performance at the Eastman School of Music. His bachelors and masters degrees were earned at Northern Arizona University, and Florida State University, respectively. He has performed with ensembles and orchestras throughout North America and Europe, and he is an award-winning soloist and chamber musician who has been lauded as one of the outstanding young artists in his field. Dr. Espinoza maintains an intense performing schedule throughout the world.

Espinoza is also a founding member, and soprano saxophonist, of the award-winning saxophone quartet Project Fusion. In 2013, Project Fusion attracted national attention by becoming the first saxophone quartet to be awarded the Grand Prize and Audience Choice Award at the Plowman Chamber Music Competition. In that same year they were also awarded first place at the Music Teacher National Association Chamber Music Competition and Gold Medal at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. They have also won top prizes at the Arriaga Chamber Music Competition as well as the Coleman-Saunderson award at the Coleman International Chamber Ensemble Competition. Project Fusion presents performances, workshops, and clinics throughout the US and abroad to students and audiences of all kinds.

During his tenure as baritone saxophonist with the Mana Quartet, Espinoza led the ensemble to become the first saxophone quartet to be awarded the coveted Alice Coleman-Grand Prize at the Coleman International Chamber Ensemble Competition. Espinoza has produced many arrangements for saxophone ensemble, quartet, and duet for saxophone and harp. He is also a D’Addario Performing Artist.

For more information about the Southern Miss School of Music, please visit usm.edu/music