Allison Young is a saxophonist and woodwind doubler currently based in Rochester, NY. Allison performed locally as a bandleader and sideperson for groups such as the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, the Annie Booth Big Band, the Drew Zaremba Jazz Fellowship Orchestra, and the No Hands Brass Band while working in the vibrant Denver music scene before her recent move to Rochester. In 2022, she also toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the Reed 5 chair, playing baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet. She has performed alongside musicians such as Dick Oatts, Jeff Hamilton, Wayne Bergeron, Greg Gisbert, Randy Brecker, Tia Fuller, Terell Stafford, Father John Misty, KNOWER, Ms. Lauryn Hill & the Fugees, and the national tour of "Some Like It Hot," the Broadway musical. Allison has recorded with the Zaremba Fellowship Orchestra, Ted Davies Big Band, and the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, and more, all with records out now. In 2022, Allison was one of 20 mentees selected for the Women in Jazz Mentorship Program, where she was mentored by saxophonist Caroline Davis and collaborated with talented young female and non-binary musicians across the country.  Allison was selected for the prestigious, donor-funded 2024 Jazz Aspen Snowmass Big Band Academy led by Artistic Director Christian McBride. Most recently, she was selected as the 2025 Jazz Education Network (JEN) Hal Lenoard Scholarship and a winner of the JEN Sisters in Jazz Combo Competition. She was selected as one of five musicians to attend the 2026 conference and work with director Terri Lyne Carrington.

 

     Allison earned her Bachelors of Music degree in Music Business from the University of Northern Colorado in May of 2022 where she studied saxophone with Dr. Andrew Dahlke and Marc Schwartz. While at UNC, she earned two Downbeat awards, one with Jazz Lab I, directed by Dana Landry, and with Funk Lab, directed by Dr. Brian Claxton. She also served as the Artist Liaison and Assistant Director of Women in Jazz Day for UNC’s Jazz Education Network chapter, the largest chapter in the country. In addition, she was named the UNC Presser Scholar in 2021. Allison is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Jazz Performance at the world-renowned Eastman School of Music, where she serves as a Teaching Assistant for both the Institute of Music Leadership and the Jazz and Commercial Music Department.

 

     As an educator, Allison runs her own private studio and frequently works with local middle school and high school band programs hosting workshops and masterclasses, including for the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (CCJA) in Denver. She also joined the staff of the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop, directed by Alexa Tarantino, as an intern and teaching assistant for the 2025 workshop. Allison also spent two years on the marketing team at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, where she worked with a vibrant, connected team promoting performances by internationally recognized artists. Allison has provided social media marketing consulting for organizations such as the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra,  Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts, and the Playground Ensemble.

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