Dr. Sarah Hetrick, Dr. Nathan Mertens, Mia Gazley
Rousseau® Mouthpieces has announced that leading Artists and Educators Dr. Sarah Hetrick, Dr. Nathan Mertens and Mia Gazley have joined the Rousseau family of Endorser Artists.
“Each of these Artists represent excellence both as performers and educators and we could not be any more proud to have them representing Rousseau mouthpieces,” said Rousseau Product Specialist Tyler Harris.
Dr. Sarah Hetrick is currently the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Arkansas. She maintains a vibrant performing career as a solo and chamber musician, sharing expertise at institutions such as the University of Iowa, Duquesne University, and the University of Texas. As a fervent advocate for new music, Hetrick has commissioned over twenty works for saxophone, collaborating with composers including Viet Cuong, Susanna Hancock, and Kimberly Osberg. Sarah oversees the Elise Hall Competition for Emerging Saxophonists, directing its commission, operations, and overall development.
About her Rousseau mouthpieces Dr. Hetrick says, “My Rousseau Classic NC4 Alto mouthpiece provides the flexibility necessary for approaching any repertoire for the saxophone. The superb intonation, response and overall control allow me to consistently demonstrate and push the bounds of my artistry.”
Renowned US saxophonist, Nathan Mertens, is currently the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Colorado Boulder. Widely acclaimed as a soloist and chamber musician, Nathan has performed internationally in countries such as
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Bolivia, and the United Kingdom, and the United States at prestigious events such as the World Saxophone Congress and the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference. As an advocate of new music, Mertens has commissioned and premiered works by esteemed composers such as Lucy Armstrong, Akiro Ito, and Zach Browning.
Dr. Mertens plays on both the Rousseau ER50 Classic Alto and the Classic NC4 Alto about which he says, “I play on Rousseau mouthpieces because they have that special sparkle! The free blowing mouthpiece allows me to navigate all types of music with ease and gives me the articulation, intonation, and sound that I want. Couldn’t be happier!”
Mia Gazley is a saxophonist and educator from British Columbia, Canada. Mia performs extensively with various groups in the Vancouver area, including the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, the Chilliwack Metropolitan Orchestra, the Vancouver Jazz Legacy Orchestra, as well as multiple other ensembles. She is a founding member of the nationally acclaimed Azura Quartet, in which she holds the baritone saxophone chair.
Ms. Gazley plays Rousseau on all four horns, Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone and remarked “The warmth, clarity, and shimmer to the tone is what I’ve come to respect and love about the Rousseau mouthpieces. They help me to find my best sound every time I pick up my saxophone and make me excited to continue to strive for musicality and excellence with every practice session and performance.”
For more information visit Rousseaumouthpieces.com
