Described as an “excellent player and performer” (Susan Fancher, saxophonist), Emily Loboda is an accomplished solo saxophonist, chamber musician, and educator.  Her passion for performing and teaching is evident in her numerous musical projects and positive student feedback.  Her desire to create inspired and meaningful music can be seen not only in her solo performances, but also in chamber performances with her percussion/saxophone duo, Interrobang and saxophone quartet, Minerva.
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Emily has performed as a soloist with orchestras in Michigan and North Carolina, and has been heard as a soloist and chamber musician throughout North America including performances in Colorado, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. She was the state winner for the 2014/2015 North Carolina MTNA Young Artist Woodwind competition, winner of University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s 2016 Concerto Competition, and winner of Central Michigan University’s  2014 Concerto Competition.   Previously, she was a semi-finalist in the 2016 North American Saxophone Alliance quartet competition, semi-finalist for the Plowman Chamber Music Competition in 2011, the state winner for Tennessee Music Teachers Association Conference in 2011/2012, and was selected as alternate for nationals at MTNA Southern Division.

As a promoter of new music, Emily has commissioned and performed the world premiere of “Journal Entries of an Introvert,” by Evan Boegehold at the 2016 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference. In early 2016, Emily commissioned and performed the Southern Region/North Carolina premiere of “Second Study for Alto Saxophone, Video, and Electronics: pulp,” by Jason Thorpe Buchanan at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  Additionally, Emily has premiered works by John Mackey, Binshan Zhao, and Frank Nawrot.

Classical saxophone is not Emily’s only focus. She also is active on the professional jazz scene in North Carolina, and is currently studying with Chad Eby in pursuit of a post-baccalaureate certificate in jazz studies.  She was awarded an assistantship for summer 2016 to study with acclaimed saxophonist Branford Marsalis.

Emily is currently the adjunct saxophone professor at East Tennessee State University, saxophone instructor at Mitchell Community College, and lecturer of Jazz Appreciation at University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  She is also recently completed the third year of her Doctorate in Musical Arts in performance, with minor areas in jazz and music education studies at UNCG. She holds degrees from Central Michigan University and Tennessee Technological University.  Her teachers include Phil Barham, John Nichol, Steve Stusek, and Chad Eby.