Brian Lydeen, DMA

Director of Music Education and Music Performance
Director of Woodwind and Jazz Studies
Professor of Music

School of Arts & Sciences

�鶹��Ʒ Me

At the �鶹��Ʒ, I teach applied lessons for saxophone, clarinet, and flute, as well as coach chamber groups in those areas. I remain active as a performer and enjoy working with students of all levels and abilities. In addition to woodwind studies, I am also the director for the jazz studies offerings at �鶹��Ʒ, including directing the jazz ensembles and combos, teaching jazz improvisation, and coordinating our annual U�鶹��Ʒ Jazz Festival.

Why I’m At �鶹��Ʒ

I am a proud alumnus of the �鶹��Ʒ. The reason I came back to �鶹��Ʒ as a professor is for the people. I am here for the wonderful students I get to work with and my amazing colleagues. It's truly a joy to go to work every day. The students, faculty, and staff at �鶹��Ʒ share an incredible sense of community.

Expertise

My areas of specialty are saxophone, woodwind performance, and chamber music. I perform regularly on saxophone, clarinet, and flute. I am an avid jazz musician and also specialize in teaching about jazz performance, history, and improvisation. In addition to teaching and performing, I regularly serve as an adjudicator and clinician through the surrounding area and region.

2021 — Featured Bass Clarinet Soloist on Jonathon Russell's "Double Bass Clarinet Concerto" with the Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra

2020 — Saxophonist and Flautist for Prairie Public Television's "Prairie Musicians" Program

2020 — North Dakota National Guard 188th Army Band Saxophone Quartet Performance at the 42nd International Navy Saxophone Symposium

Principal Saxophonist with the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra.

Founder of and Saxophonist with the BisMan Little Big Band

Education

DMA (Music Performance): University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2013
MM (Music Performance): University of North Carolina "Greeley, 1997
BS (Music Education): �鶹��Ʒ, 1994