“I have known Steve Christopher for over thirty years and he is among the best music educators in the state. His rapport with students and directors is admirable. He has a way of communicating his thoughts and suggestions that are second to none. His knowledge of jazz is exceptional.”
—Ken Anderson, Director and Manager, Mile High Jazz Festival
“What I had previously witnessed through Steve’s students, I have now experienced. The enthusiasm, joy, and depth of understanding that Steve brings to the music and his skills at communicating with and engaging others in a fun yet suitably demanding manner are remarkable.
His accomplishments and legacy have been marked with awards and honors and more silently by the warm-hearted, deep appreciation so many have for Steve. I am blessed to be one of many in this regard.”
--Mike Mickley, Lead Trombone, CMA Jazz Ensemble
“Kudos to Steve for his terrific playing — and his work as a leader and educator to boot! How’d he end up such a nice chap as well?”
—Jeffrey Work, Principal Trumpet, Oregon Symphony & Colorado Music Festival
“Mr. C made me want to play music!”
—Rudresh Mahanthappa, Downbeat Magazine’s Alto saxophonist of the year, 2012
—Ken Anderson, Director and Manager, Mile High Jazz Festival
“What I had previously witnessed through Steve’s students, I have now experienced. The enthusiasm, joy, and depth of understanding that Steve brings to the music and his skills at communicating with and engaging others in a fun yet suitably demanding manner are remarkable.
His accomplishments and legacy have been marked with awards and honors and more silently by the warm-hearted, deep appreciation so many have for Steve. I am blessed to be one of many in this regard.”
--Mike Mickley, Lead Trombone, CMA Jazz Ensemble
“Kudos to Steve for his terrific playing — and his work as a leader and educator to boot! How’d he end up such a nice chap as well?”
—Jeffrey Work, Principal Trumpet, Oregon Symphony & Colorado Music Festival
“Mr. C made me want to play music!”
—Rudresh Mahanthappa, Downbeat Magazine’s Alto saxophonist of the year, 2012
Chris Buckholz
Chris Buckholz is a virtuoso crossover artist in both classical music and jazz. He is Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of New Mexico.
Rudresh Mahanthappa
Rudresh Mahanthappa has been named alto saxophonist of the year for six of seven years running in Downbeat Magazine's International Critics' Polls (2011-2013, 2015-2017), and for five consecutive years by the Jazz Journalists' Association (2009-2013) and again in 2016. He won alto saxophonist of the year in the 2016 Jazz Times Magazine Critics' Poll and was named the Village Voice's "Best Jazz Artist" in 2015. He has also received the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, among other honors, and is currently the Anthony H. P. Lee '79 Director of Jazz at Princeton University.
Daniel Weidlein
Daniel Weidlein is a versatile musician originally hailing from Boulder, Colorado. A graduate of the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, Weidlein now resides in Los Angeles and works professionally as a saxophonist, composer, producer, singer, and music director.
Chris Buckholz is a virtuoso crossover artist in both classical music and jazz. He is Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of New Mexico.
Rudresh Mahanthappa
Rudresh Mahanthappa has been named alto saxophonist of the year for six of seven years running in Downbeat Magazine's International Critics' Polls (2011-2013, 2015-2017), and for five consecutive years by the Jazz Journalists' Association (2009-2013) and again in 2016. He won alto saxophonist of the year in the 2016 Jazz Times Magazine Critics' Poll and was named the Village Voice's "Best Jazz Artist" in 2015. He has also received the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, among other honors, and is currently the Anthony H. P. Lee '79 Director of Jazz at Princeton University.
Daniel Weidlein
Daniel Weidlein is a versatile musician originally hailing from Boulder, Colorado. A graduate of the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, Weidlein now resides in Los Angeles and works professionally as a saxophonist, composer, producer, singer, and music director.