Taiki Azuma, Saxophone

Taiki Azuma is a woodwind performer and educator serving on the faculty at Catawba College, High Point University, Wake Forest University, Lenoir-Rhyne University, and Fayetteville State University. He is Principal Saxophonist of the Piedmont Wind Symphony and holds the section oboe chair with the Carolina Philharmonic. Azuma has performed with ensembles including the North Carolina Symphony, EMF Festival Orchestra, Fayetteville Symphony, Western Piedmont Symphony, and others, with appearances at Carnegie Hall and major national conferences. An active soloist and chamber musician, he has premiered numerous works and performs with ensembles including the Ren Duo and Sirocco Reed Quintet. He has presented research nationally on the connection between body and sound and serves as Overseas Representative for BREATHTAKING Co., Ltd., promoting musician wellness and ergonomics. He holds degrees from the University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, and UNC Greensboro, with additional study in Japan at the Hamamatsu International Wind Academy.