Cooper White

2023 and 2024 Saxophone teacher of the Year, 2025 Baritone Sax teacher of the Year

I started playing music when I was I ten.  I was awarded a partial scholarship to the University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton School of Music where I majored in Classical Saxophone Performance and won the Outstanding Jazz Soloist award (2004).  I received a partial scholarship to the Berklee College of Music and studied there with a principal instrument of saxophone, and graduated with a degree in Contemporary Writing and Production in 2009. 

I spent more than ten years performing full-time, on cruise ships (Carnival, Princess, Holland-America, Celebrity, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, The World), land tours (iLa Mawana national tour), theater productions (Los Angeles' For The Record: The Brat Pack, Broadway's After Midnight), and independent bands (Samsaya Trio, Vivian Clement Quartet).  My performing experience has taken me to 70 countries and all seven continents. 

Inspired by what I experienced traveling, I went back to school and got my masters in Sustainable Development from the University of Sussex, studying the relationship between music and sustainability through the lens of musicology and ethnomusicology.  

I've self-recorded and self- produced multiple albums. I have three of my own shows (A Public Saxophone and other Bedtime Stories dinner theater, Just Sax dance music, and a live looping electronic show). 

As a musical arranger I've worked with Nathan Chester (Finalist in The Voice 2024), Elias Hendricks (Britain's Got Talent 2016), and had my shows featured in New York City in venues such as 54 Below and Theater 555.  While I studied saxophone as my primary instrument, I also play  flute, clarinet, harmonica and bass guitar at a professional level.   

I think it's very important from the beginning to find your individual voice on your instrument.  Technique is important, but it will be taught simultaneously with artistic voice.  One of the great things about music is being to express your version of yourself on your instrument.  What's the point in learning scales if you can't play the song you want to play?  From day one, we will focus on all aspects of learning, and of music, at the same time.  I'm super patient and I love to teach, and I'll cater my teaching style to the individual student.  I look forward to teaching you!