The University of Minnesota School of Music and Schmitt Music Sax Shop present a free Concert & Master Class featuring saxophonist Nick Zoulek!
Nick Zoulek is a saxophonist of “pure mindfulness and talent” (PopMatters), impassioned by the unification of contemporary art and sound. His focus on saxophone performance, collaboration, improvisation, and commissioning new works has led to a diverse portfolio of distinctive performances and artistic ventures.
- Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall in Ferguson Hall: 2106 South 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55455
- Free & Open to the Public
- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!
The Zoulek Concert will be LIVE STREAMED from the UMN campus – WATCH HERE!
- Schmitt Music Brooklyn Center: 2400 Freeway Blvd. Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
- Free & Open to the Public
- CLICK HERE TO RSVP TO THE MASTER CLASS!
Nick Zoulek is a saxophonist of “pure mindfulness and talent” (PopMatters), impassioned by the unification of contemporary art and sound. His focus on saxophone performance, collaboration, improvisation, and commissioning new works has led to a diverse portfolio of distinctive performances and artistic ventures. As a soloist, Nick’s craft has been lauded as “stunningly virtuosic, no matter the genre” (The Wall Street Journal) with the capacity to “[take] you to other worlds” (Milwaukee Magazine). The versatility Nick displays on the instrument has been praised as “[b]eautiful harmonies [singing] in contrast to mysterious knockings and hums, and finally to ungodly, soul-shattering blasts” (Shepherd Express). As an interdisciplinary artist, Nick is praised as a “a no-holds-barred engine of avant-garde exploration,” (Portland Press Herald). He has scored and performed dance works with Wild Space Dance Company, the Madison Ballet, HYPERlocal, and with members of Zenon and Like You Mean It dance companies. As an accomplished cinematographer and producer, Nick’s films incorporate his compositions and performances on saxophone, and have garnered numerous awards in experimental media. His films have screened at festivals around the world, most notably in England, Serbia, Africa, and around the USA. Nick’s work can be heard on Rushing Past Willow (INNOVA Records), which fuses all of facets of his work through self-composed pieces for alto, tenor, and bass saxophone.
A concert saxophonist, Nick has performed at esteemed venues in France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. As a visiting artist, Nick performs at academic institutions across the country, most recently at the Ohio State University, Lawrence University, Wayne State University, Kent State University, Missouri Southern State University, and Oklahoma City University. Nick has been featured with the Boulogne Orchestre du Vent and with the University of Wisconsin Whitewater Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. Receiving high acclaim for his performances, Nick has won prizes with the Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra and Concord Chamber Orchestra, and honors for both classical and jazz performance.
Nick maintains an active profile researching the saxophone’s role in contemporary classical music. He has commissioned and premiered works by composers including François Rossé, Robert Lemay, Etienne Rolin, and Alain Louvier. During the 2017-2018 academic year, Nick served as the the artist-in-residence for the Sensoria Series (UW-Milwaukee), where he presented lectures, workshops, and recitals on contemporary aesthetics and saxophone performance, while premiering new works for saxophone and multimedia.
Nick has served on faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, teaching saxophone and jazz studies courses. He is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Contemporary Music Performance at Bowling Green State University with the guidance of Distinguished Artist Professor Dr. John Sampen. Nick holds a Master of Music Performance from BGSU, a Certificat des Études Musicales from the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régionale de Boulogne-Billancourt, and a Bachelor of Music Performance with Magna Cum Laude honors from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He has learned with Jean-Michel Goury, Dr. Matthew Sintchak, and Dr. Jon Amon. Learn more at www.nickzoulek.com.
