Episode #6 - Ryan Kauffman, saxophonist

Raised in the heart of Lancaster County, saxophonist Ryan Kauffman of Millersville University's Tell School of Music, shares his musical journey with us in our sixth episode! A graduate of Lancaster Mennonite HS, Ryan credits his teacher Phil Smith for pushing him forward in his saxophone studies which eventually transported him to Eastern Mennonite University and West Chester University. Listen in to find that surprisingly enough, he didn't begin his collegiate career on the saxophone...

Ryan describes how immersion in his craft is what took him to another level and how no matter what avenue he travels musically, it all comes back to jazz. The influence of John Coltrane is discussed as well as his continued involvement in the local nonprofit group Naked Eye Ensemble, of which he has been a member since its inception.

Musical and visual art has always been a passion of Ryan's and you will find that his desire to create has been woven into the fabric of his life in many ways. Here is Ryan's life, between the notes...