Michael Couper

Hailed by the New York Times for his “sweet intensity” and “insinuating smoothness,” modern saxophonist Michael Couper has performed internationally as a soloist and chamber musician at venues including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center, and Ryougoku Monten Hall in Tokyo. Dr. Couper was a finalist in the 2019 Matthew Ruggiero International Woodwind Competition and the prestigious 2015 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh competition. He plays with the San Diego and Modesto Symphonies, the Mimesis Ensemble in New York, and the San Diego Winds, among others. Dr. Couper performed concerti with the Mimesis Ensemble, the San Bernardino Symphony, the USC Symphony Orchestra, the SDSU Wind Ensemble, and the SDSU Orchestra. Dr. Couper has a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance from USC. He has served on the faculty at CSU San Bernardino and San Diego State University, and is a Conn-Selmer Artist endorsing Yanagisawa saxophones.