Kathleen Mitchell
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Biography:
Professor Kathy Mitchell has been the Adjunct Instructor of Saxophone at The College of New Jersey for over twenty-four years, an appointment she is most proud of, as she finds daily inspiration from her students and colleagues. She considers herself fortunate to be in such good company.
Professor Mitchell is the founder and conductor of the annual TCNJ Saxophone Summit, which brings together more than 100 saxophonists from across the tri-state area for a day of masterclasses, saxophone choir, and a culminating performance. She is deeply committed to creating opportunities for performers, conductors, and educators of all levels—an essential component of fostering an inclusive environment that encourages creativity, personal growth, and community engagement. The summit features a wide range of guest speakers, artists, and educators, many of whom are alumni of TCNJ’s saxophone studio. Notable guest artists have included Dr. Zach Stern, founding member of the Donald Sinta Quartet, and world-renowned performer and mouthpiece manufacturer Jody Espina.
Kathy has appeared as a soloist and clinician throughout the United States. Most recently, she performed as a soloist with the TCNJ Wind Ensemble, presenting Stark’s Velocity Meadow, Biedenbender’s Dreams in the Dusk, and Nowak’s Rhapsody. Her performance of Tableaux de Provence is featured on the ensemble’s Wind Tableaux album, released by Mark Records.
This year, she joined two consortiums dedicated to expanding the saxophone repertoire in conjunction with Temple University, Matthew Levy, the Peabody Institute, West Virginia University, Doug O’Connor, and Dr. Jeff Siegfried. She will premiere new works by esteemed composers Emma O’Halloran and Alyssa Weinberg.
Widely respected as an accomplished saxophonist, Kathy has performed with The Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, Astral Artists of Philadelphia, and numerous orchestral ensembles, including musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra and The Curtis Institute of Music. Additional performances include the Reading, Allentown, Temple University, and Haddonfield Symphonies, as well as the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Delaware Valley Wind Ensemble, Capitol Philharmonic, SPSO, and the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh.
As an artist and educator, Kathy has held appointments at Rowan University, Youth Orchestra of Bucks County, The Governor’s School of Music, Haverford University, and the Conservatory of Musical Arts. A highly sought-after masterclass clinician, she has presented and performed at institutions including The College of New Jersey, Temple University, University of the Arts, Rowan University, Haverford College, University of Pittsburgh, University of Nevada, and other major venues.
Kathy is honored to have performed for Lucas Foss and Yuri Temirkanov and to have recorded Music for Prague 1968 conducted by its composer, Karel Husa. She has also performed with artists such as Peter Schickele, David Bilger, Stanley Clarke, Elvis Costello, and KlezMs. Her collaboration with composer and jazz pianist Ron Thomas can be heard on Ghost in the Weed Garden, Nocturne, Doxology, and Elegy for Stefan Wolpe, available at ronthomasmusic.com.
As a woodwind doubler and freelance musician for over twenty-five years, Kathy has performed with theater companies throughout the East Coast, including the Walnut Street Theatre, Media Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, The Mann Music Center, The Knitting Factory, and in radio broadcasts, soundtracks, and various recordings.
Currently, Kathy is a member of the Philadelphia Saxophone Quartet, with whom she has released several albums. Her latest venture includes performing with the TCNJ Alumni Quartet.
Ms. Mitchell also serves as the Jazz Director at Eastern High School, where she has led the school’s award-winning jazz ensemble to sixteen consecutive state finals. During her tenure, she created and developed a highly regarded music technology program utilizing industry-standard software such as Ableton, Logic, and FL Studio.
At The College of New Jersey, she maintains a saxophone studio, directs saxophone ensembles, and teaches woodwind methods. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Music Performance from Temple University and a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from Northwestern University. Her primary teachers were Dr. Frederick L. Hemke and Marshall Taylor, both students of Marcel Mule.
