NICK NAPIER is a saxophonist, student, and music educator currently based in Ann Arbor, MI. Nick is an avid performer and saxophonist, and is well-versed in classical, jazz, contemporary, funk, and latin music. From his hometown of Township of Washington, NJ, Nick has performed locally with the Westwood Community Band, One More Once Jazz Ensemble, and has performed alongside and worked with notable artists in the NJ and NYC area, including Walt Weiskopf, Eric Alexander, Conrad Herwig, Bob Magnuson, Steve Davis, Jerry Weldon, Duane Eubanks, and several others. 

In his undergraduate years, Nick studied Music Education at The College of New Jersey, studying saxophone with Professor Kathleen Mitchell. He has performed as Principal Alto Saxophone of the Wind Ensemble, Principal Clarinet of the Concert Band, Lead Alto Saxophone of the Jazz Ensemble, and won First Prize in the 2020 Concerto Competition in his sophomore year, performing “Concert Suite for Alto Saxophone and Band” by William Bolcom as a soloist with the TCNJ Wind Ensemble. As a music educator, Nick has experience teaching students of all ages, both as a private woodwind instructor and teacher in the K-12 music classroom. He is passionate about teaching music to young learners, and is an avid member of the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

Now pursuing a Master’s in Saxophone Performance at the University of Michigan, Nick is a student of Dr. Timothy McAllister. Thus far, he has experience performing with the U-M Symphony Band, Saxophone Ensemble, and is the alto saxophone chair of the Chiral Saxophone Quartet. 

Beyond music and the saxophone, Nick enjoys finding new food to cook, new movies to watch, and new trails to hike and explore. He loves to spend quality time with family and friends, and admittedly enjoys a good video game every once in a while.