Saxophonist James Fusik has garnered numerous accomplishments worldwide. Fusik has commissioned and/or premiered works by composers including Karlheinz Stockhausen, Marilyn Shrude, Walter Mays, Nathan Davis, Christopher Cerrone, Robert Honstein, Ryan Carter, Ravi Kittappa, Juan-Camilo Hernandez Sanchez, and artist Matthew Barney. Fusik’s performance honors include Co-1st prize at the 2011 Stockhausen Courses and Concerts-Kurten (GER), advancing to the semi-finals of the 5th Adolphe Sax competition in Dinant (BEL), and 1st prize in the 2010 Richardson competition (USA). He has also been named a winner of the Concerto Competitions of Central Michigan University, Bowling Green State University, and the staff Competition of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

Recent performances venues have included the Eastman School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, (le) Poisson Rouge, Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, the Contagious Sounds and Permutations series in NYC, and the New Music Festivals of Ball State University, Illinois State University, and Omaha Under the Radar. Upcoming performances will take him to Chicago, IL and Strasbourg, France to premiere contemporary works for saxophone.

Dr. Fusik is a founding member of the Color Field Ensemble, who produced yearly festivals of new music in Madison, WI from 2011-2013. Fusik is renowned for his innovative recital programming, and his dedication to expanding the offerings of contemporary music in the rural areas of the northern plains. He has founded and organized multiple iterations of the Minot Modern Festival in Minot, ND, and has presented on contemporary music and creativity to public school teachers, K-12 students, and community members alike.

Fusik currently serves as Assistant Professor of Woodwinds at Minot State University (ND), and has previously taught at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He has degrees from Bowling Green State University (M.M., DMA), and Central Michigan University (B.M. Theory/Composition, B.M.E. Music Ed), with studies under John Sampen, John Nichol, Marilyn Shrude, David Gillingham, and José-Luis Maurtua.

Website: www.JamesFusik.com