About

Bio

Evan Ney is a saxophonist, composer and educator based in the Twin Cities, where he leads a private teaching studio. He has appeared as a soloist with ensembles including the Lawrence University Wind Ensemble and Pacific Rim Gamelan, was a finalist in the 2026 MTNA Young Artist Woodwind competition, and was awarded consecutive Downbeat Student Music Awards in 2024 and 2025. 

A committed advocate for new music, Evan has worked with numerous composers to premiere more than a dozen works for saxophone, and writes original compositions which explore the wide capabilities of the saxophone while maintaining a compositional aesthetic that is accessible to a broad audience. 

He holds a master’s degree in saxophone performance from the University of Oregon, and bachelor’s degrees in saxophone performance and English; his primary teachers are Steven Jordheim, Jose Encarnacion, Joseph Connor, and Idit Shner. He is a passionate performer, educator and composer, and also loves to cook, watch his beloved soccer team, Arsenal, and birdwatch with his dogs.