Kendra Wheeler Joins LSU Music
April 09, 2024
Kendra Wheeler, Assistant Professor of Saxophone
We are pleased to announce that Kendra Wheeler will join the faculty of the LSU School of Music as Assistant Professor of Saxophone, beginning in Fall 2024!
A trailblazer in the field of saxophone performance, Wheeler distinguished herself through her innovative approach to instruction and a advocacy for new repertoire, evidenced by her diverse and modern programming and commissioning. As an advocate for innovation through performance, Wheeler embraces new mediums for the saxophone through interdisciplinary collaborations and chamber music. She is the alto saxophonist in the Medusa Saxophone Quartet, whose mission is to support young, historically excluded saxophonists and composers using performance and educational outreach.
Wheeler's pedagogy is rooted in the belief that music education should be inclusive and empowering. She incorporates theories of identity, agency, and intersectionality into her teaching, providing students with a critical perspective that informs their musical practice and instruction. She has shared her insights on the importance of understanding the intersection of music and identity for inclusive musicianship and pedagogy at major venues and conferences across North America and Europe.
Hailing from Chicago, where she attended the Merit School of Music, studying with Shawn Tracy and Bryan Polacek, Wheeler earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota under Eugene Rousseau. She subsequently received a Master of Music from the University of Minnesota, studying with Preston Duncan. She completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in saxophone performance at Michigan State University under Joseph Lulloff.
“I am delighted to join the outstanding faculty at Louisiana State University School of Music," Wheeler said. "I look forward to contributing to LSU and Baton Rouge's vibrant community and to helping students thrive in all they choose to do. I can’t wait to rep all the LSU attire, considering purple is one of my favorite colors! Geaux Tigers!”