Welcome Saxophone and Trombone Faculty!
In August 2024, Dr. Nicole (Nicki) Roman will join our faculty as Clinical Associate Professor of Saxophone and Dr. Jonathan Whitaker will join as Clinical Professor of Trombone.
Dr. Nicole (Nicki) Roman – Saxophone
One of the most decorated saxophonists of her generation, Dr. Nicki Roman is known for “taking listeners on a tour of the saxophone’s capabilities, illustrating the vast tone and range of the instrument.” (Parma Recordings). As a soloist, she has been featured with the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Canarias’ Chamber Orchestra, Eastman Symphony Orchestra, Eastman Wind Ensemble, Illinois Wind Symphony, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Wind Ensemble, University of North Florida Orchestra, University of Southern Mississippi Wind Ensemble, Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble, and the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. She has been a prize-winner at prestigious competitions such as the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Solo Competition, Music Teacher’s National Association Young Artist Solo Competition, William C. Byrd International Competition, and the International Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship.
Dr. Roman currently serves as Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. At UWM, she teaches applied saxophone, coaches chamber music, is the director of the UWM Saxophone Ensemble, and teaches courses on Entrepreneurship and Music Business. In addition, she serves as a board member of Civic Music Association of Milwaukee and has collaborated on several projects with Hal Leonard Publishing. She is a Conn-Selmer and Vandoren artist.
Dr. Roman holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Florida, a Master of Music from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a Doctor of Musical Arts and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester.
Dr. Jonathan Whitaker – Trombone
Jonathan Whitaker joined the faculty of the University of Alabama in the fall of 2009. At Alabama, Dr. Whitaker’s students have been tremendously successful in national and international solo competitions as well as being placed in some of the nation’s top summer music festivals. The University of Alabama Trombone Choir has given performances at the 2010 Eastern Trombone Workshop, the 2011 International Trombone Festival, the 2013 International Trombone Festival, and the 2018 American Trombone Workshop. Dr. Whitaker has also appeared twice as a performer and clinician at the American Trombone Workshop and two International Trombone Festivals. Dr. Whitaker is in great demand as a guest artist and has appeared at some of the most prestigious music schools in the country including The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Yale University, Indiana University, and many more.
As a soloist, Dr. Whitaker can be heard on numerous recordings including the 2018 release of his second solo recording entitled “Paceline” and his debut solo recording entitled “Nature’s Gift” with pianist Kevin Chance. He is a featured soloist on two recordings with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble that include Anthony Barfield’s Red Sky and David Maslanka’s Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble. These recordings are available at www.jonathanwhitaker.com.
Dr. Whitaker holds degrees in trombone performance from Murray State University (BMUS) and the University of Minnesota (MMUS), and the Doctor of Music in Brass Pedagogy from Indiana University. Dr. Whitaker’s primary teachers include Ray Conklin, Tom Ashworth, M. Dee Stewart, Peter Ellefson, and Joseph Alessi with additional studies with Arnold Jacobs, Edward Kleinhammer, Michael Mulcahy, Charlie Vernon, and Douglas Wright.