Rafael P.

Rafael is a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts, Saxophone Performance, at Texas Tech University where he studies with Professor David Dees. Rafael has performed across the nation, as a freelance woodwind musician, with R&B artist Sean Fresh. Along with Sean Fresh, he has performed with artists Big Piph, Dazz & Brie, Kwestion, Bijioux, The Big Dam Horns, Nick Broadway, Off the Cuff Ensemble, Queen Anne’s Revenge, and The Hot Springs Village Pit Orchestra. Rafael’s accomplishments include performances at the NASA Region IV Conference, CMS South Central Conference, SCI Conference, and Mana Saxophone Institute. Along with these conference performances, he has performed with the Sherman Symphony, Little Rock Wind Symphony, CBDNA Intercollegiate Band, AIB Intercollegiate Band, and Stardust Big Band. He also won the 2015 State MTNA Young Artist Competition and 2014 President’s Concert at Henderson State University. Outside of performing, Rafael has taught woodwinds since 2010. As a teacher, he takes pride in believing that every student can accomplish their goal through consistent hard work. In lessons, the number one rule is that a student should not use the word can’t. In music, anything can be learned, with the will to learn. Rafael is a passionate teacher who believes music should be an amazing experience for all. Among teaching at various schools in Central Arkansas, East Texas, and West Texas, Rafael has also been a clinician at the Texas A&M University-Commerce Clarinet Colloquium. Rafael is a graduate of Henderson State University, and Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he received his BM, and MM respectively. Rafael’s primary teachers are Dr. Steve Becraft, Dr. Jennifer Amox, Dr. Chris Beaty, Dr. Mary Druhan, and Dr. Julee Walker.