About the Creator
Jordan Wickey, a junior at Ball State University, is pursuing saxophone performance under the guidance of Dr. Nathan Bogert, a renowned saxophonist and educator. He is also working towards a certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies in Music with Dr. Mihoko Watanabe. A graduate of Jay County High School, Jordan was honored with the John Phillip Sousa Award and taken part in the concert band, jazz band, and marching band. As a first-semester freshman, he secured first chair in the Ball State Wind Symphony and, by the second semester, earned second chair in the prestigious Wind Ensemble. Since then, he has remained in the Wind Ensemble and achieved first chair as a first-semester junior.
During the summers of his sophomore and junior years, Jordan attended the American Saxophone Academy, studying with esteemed instructors such as Dr. Timothy McAllister (University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance), Dr. Otis Murphy (Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music), Professor Chien-Kwan Lin (University of Rochester, Eastman School of Music), Dr. Kenneth Tse (University of Iowa School of Music, and Professor Carrie Koffman (University of Hartford, Hartt School). Currently, he serves as the soprano saxophonist for the Gamma Quartet, which has been invited to perform at noteworthy events like the United States Navy Band Symposium (2024) and the North American Saxophone Alliance (2024, 2025). The quartet plans to visit high schools in the coming year to engage with and recruit students in Muncie and nearby areas.
Jordan has previously taught saxophone at the Arts Place in Portland, Indiana, and currently instructs a dedicated studio at Anderson High School. In 2025, he competed in the concerto competition at Ball State and was among the winners. He has participated in numerous masterclasses, notably with Arno Bornkamp (Conservatory of Amsterdam), Otis Murphy, and Zach Shemon (University of Missouri, Kansas City). Looking ahead, Jordan aims to compete in statewide and national competitions, including NASA solo and quartet competitions, the Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition, and the MTNA Young Artist Competition. He also plans to pursue a Master’s and Doctoral degree and aspires to teach saxophone at the college level.