Twin Cities Saxophone Camp

Director and Faculty

An internationally acclaimed performer and educator based out of Minneapolis, Preston Duncan has been hailed as “displaying his saxophone mastery” (The Indianapolis Star) with “virtuosic brilliance” (the Muncie Star/Press) as a “terrific talent”(Marvin Hamlisch).

He has appeared as a soloist throughout the United States, Latin America and Europe. He has performed on over 65 occasions as soloist with large ensembles including The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, La Grande Orchestre des Alpes de la Mer of Nice, the Bowling Green State University Philharmonic, the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra and many others. He has performed internationally in such prestigious venues as the Salle Verdi (Milan), the American Embassy (Paris), The Royal Conservatory (Brussels), Circle Theater (Indianapolis), Roberto’s Winds (New York City), UNAM Hall (Mexico City), the National University (Taipei), the Teatro Solis (Montevideo), the National Conservatory (Zagreb), the National Conservatory (San Jose), and Disneyland (Los Angeles).

As a chamber musician he has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Indianapolis Pops, The Minnesota Pops, The Indianapolis Symphony and with such acclaimed artists as Rosemary Clooney, Azmira-Woodward-Page, Marvin Hamlisch and Jeremy Denk.

Duncan was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Paris, France. He has won numerous awards and prizes including 1st prize in the MTNA National Woodwind Competition. He was the featured performer and educator at the 1st Annual Taiwanese National Saxophone Festival, the 12th Annual Encuentro Universitario Internacional de Saxofón in Mexico City and Saxfest Costa Rica in 2015. This summer he was the featured performer at the 4thInternational Festival of Saxophones in Montevideo Uruguay.

Duncan currently teaches saxophone at the University of Minnesota. During the summer he teaches on the faculty at Ticino Musica International in Lugano Switzerland and Shell Lake Arts Center. He has premiered works by Bernard Rands, Ernesto Pellegrini, Joseph Dangerfield, Kenneth Fuchs and many others. Duncan performs exclusively on the Buffet Senzo saxophone and Légère reeds.

Guest Faculty

Kendra Wheeler is emerging as a prominent force within her discipline. She is recognized for her ​interpretive insight, contributions to performance and education, and dedication to representation and inclusivity, which have had a transformative effect on the field.

Wheeler's international artist, scholar, and educator career is well-recognized. Wheeler has performed at venues and festivals across North and South America and Europe, including the Chicago Symphony Center and the Ordway Center for Performing Arts. She has also presented solo recitals, masterclasses, and guest artist residencies at notable institutions such as Virginia Tech, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of the Republic of Uruguay. Her remarkable achievements have garnered recognition from the Concert Artists Guild, Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition, and DOWNBEAT Magazine.

In her academic endeavors, Wheeler has lectured on the intersection of music and identity—promoting inclusivity in performance and pedagogy—at conferences and institutions across North America and Europe. Noteworthy presentations include those at Jagiellonian University (Kraków, Poland), the International Conference on Society and the Arts (Zaragoza, Spain), the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music (Hartford, CT), and the International Alliance for Women in Music (Eugene, Oregon).

Beyond her research interests, Wheeler leads innovative and community-building projects such as the Folk Music Reimagined series, culminating in her debut album, scheduled for completion in Spring 2025 and release in Summer 2025. She has also established the Women of Color in Classical Saxophone Group. She is the alto saxophonist in the Medusa Saxophone Quartet, an all-women professional ensemble dedicated to supporting emerging and underrepresented saxophonists and composers through performance and educational programs. The Medusa Saxophone Quartet actively engages in performances, residencies, and outreach concerts nationwide.

As an Assistant Professor of Music at Louisiana State University, Wheeler‘s pedagogy focuses on technical proficiency, artistic expression, and a thorough understanding of music's societal and contextual dimensions. Her commitment to her students' development reflects their successes and passion for music and teaching. Kendra Wheeler’s relentless dedication and approach ensure she is a continued leading voice in the evolution of her field.

Guest Faculty

On her remarkable debut album Escape (Spring 2025), Peruvian-American saxophonist and composer Lucia Sarmiento emerges as a rising star of the modern jazz scene, delivering playful yet intricate melodies. “When I play the saxophone, I love that feeling of danger,” says Sarmiento. With a powerful tenor sound and an effervescent personality, she explains, “I’m drawn to music filled with intensity and risk that captures every fiber of your being in the moment; that’s why I love jazz.”

Lucia has performed on sold-out stages with international pop-stars Pitbull and Karol G, while also headlining jazz festivals under her own name. Her fearless approach to music and her commitment to crafting bold, textured compositions make her an exciting voice in contemporary jazz.

“Minneapolis raised me musically,” she reflects. “It's a smaller city compared to LA or NYC, but the music scene is vibrant, steeped in the legacy of Prince. I began performing with Prince's long-time collaborators and Weather Report's legendary drummer Eric Gravatt right out of college. I got to explore every genre from Minneapolis funk to brass band, and from Motown to free jazz. What was really important was that I came to develop my own sound. At first, it wasn’t easy to keep up with the loud drums, distorted guitars and very experienced funk players, so I spent lots of time working on my sound and time. I also admire how Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer, and Chris Potter play with so much strength and a sense of urgency—that's how I want to play.”

In recent years, Lucia has gained a social media following of over 100k+ people, releasing educational videos in Spanish and English that provide a global perspective on jazz and saxophone.
She has represented and collaborated with brands like Yamaha, Akai, Theo Wanne, Eastman, RS Berkeley, BG, Jean-Paul USA, Syos, Key Leaves among others.

In 2013, a Saxophone Performance Scholarship brought her to Minneapolis Minnesota, where she has been an active member of the music scene ever since.
She has collaborated with esteemed jazz artists such as Chad Lefkovitz-Brown, Arturo Sandoval, Melissa Aldana, Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Kurt Elling, Grace Kelly, Antwaun Stanley, Ella Briceno, among others.

Co-Director and Faculty

A passionate teacher and active performer, Tina Uhrenbacher is a Minneapolis-based saxophonist and educator. She is pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts in saxophone performance from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She holds her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and her Master’s Degree from Northwestern University. Her primary teachers include Preston Duncan, Taimur Sullivan, Tom Myer, and Christopher Creviston. 

An avid chamber musician, she has competed and advanced in national competitions including the Music Teachers National Association quartet and solo competitions, the North American Saxophone Alliance quartet competitions, and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. While at Northwestern, her saxophone quartets worked closely with both young and established composers, premiering and recording new works for the ensemble. During her time in Boulder, her quartet was committed to bringing music and music education to the community and local schools. 

Uhrenbacher has participated in various music conferences across North America. Most recently, she was a guest performer at the XXI Encuentro Universitario Internacional de Saxofón conference in Mexico City, Mexico. She has also performed and premiered pieces at the 5th Northwestern University New Music Conference (NUNC!) in April 2023 with her saxophone quartet and the Bienen School of Music Contemporary Music Ensemble. Uhrenbacher has had performances at the Midwest Clinic, the International Saxophone Symposium, and various national and regional North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) over the last eight years. 

Tina has extensive teaching experience on saxophone as a private lesson teacher and as a graduate assistant at Northwestern for the saxophone studio. She has taught students of all ages and abilities, from playing their first notes to college-level students preparing for auditions and competitions. At the core of her teaching is compassion, understanding, and encouragement for each individual to reach their own potential.