T.J. Eriksen received his master of music performance, bachelor of music performance and music education degrees from the Lionel Hampton school of music, at the University of Idaho. Mr. Eriksen studied saxophone under Dr. Robert miller, Dr. Yannis Miralis, Jim Pisano, and Dr. Vanessa Sielert. Mr. Eriksen was a full-ride Lionel Hampton scholar. While at the University of idaho, T.J. performed multiple ensembles including The Sound of Idaho Vandal Marching Band, wind ensemble, concert band, symphonic band, saxophone quartets, jazz ensembles, Vandaleers concert choir, and jazz choirs.
During his undergraduate studies Mr. Eriksen was an associate director of the concert band, saxophone choir, and jazz band iii, while also being the rehearsal assistant for jazz choir I and jazz band I. Heavily involved in all aspects of his education, Mr. Eriksen was a teaching assistant under daniel bukvich for music theory and aural skills.
\T.J. student taught with famed band director Fred Dole, past president of the Washington State Music Educators Association and director of bands and choirs at Charles Francis Adams high school in Clarkston, Washington.
Mr. Eriksen was offered the saxophone studio and jazz studies teaching assistantship from the Lionel Hampton school of musicand began\graduate work in saxophone performance. Mr. Eriksen studied saxophone with Dr. Vanessa Sielert and completed his research document, a performance and recording history of the baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola. During this time Mr. Eriksen’s teaching duties included private lessons, saxophone quartet, saxophone fundamentals for saxophone studio, saxophone techniques for music education majors, and was the graduate director of jazz band iii. Mr. Eriksen also continued being a teaching assistant under Daniel Bukvich for aural skills, music theory, jazz theory, and the assistant director of jazz choir I and jazz band I.
T.J. Eriksen has been the director of bands at Eagle High School since 2008. Multiple EHS band ensembles have been recognized for their quality musicianship at festivals and competitions. The EHS band program has received numerous awards for their outstanding performances in all aspects of the program. EHS ensembles have been featured three times at the Idaho music educator's all-state conference. The EHS band program has enjoyed commissioning and premiering pieces by regional composers such rob walker, Jeff chambers, Dr. Vern Sielert, and Daniel Bukvich. T.J. Has been an advocate for music education through the West Ada school district, Idaho District II Music Educators, Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra advisory board, Gene Harris jazz festival advisory board, the Idaho State Department of Education humanities standards executive committee, and the ISDOE humanities preparation standards committee.
T.J. Belongs to multiple professional music organizations including Pi Kappa Lambda, Idaho music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the North American Saxophone Alliance. Performing both jazz and concert repertoire, Mr. Eriksen enjoys all types of music and continues to perform in multiple ensembles throughout the treasure valley. He has performed with a variety of musicians including the Four Tops, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Supremes, The Temptations, Claudio Roditi, Jeff Hamilton, John clayton, Bill Watrous, Wycliffe Gordon, Chuck Findley, Randy Brecker, and Dave Liebman. Mr. Eriksen has performed with the Boise Philharmonic, Treasure Valley concert band, the Kings of Swing, $oul Purpo$e, and currently enjoys performing with the Boise Modern Jazz Orchestra and the Boise Saxophone Quartet. Mr. Eriksen also enjoys adjudicating and working with bands around the northwest.
T.J. Has been the recipient of many awards including:
Idaho Master Educator
Eagle high School Teacher of the Year
N.A.M.M. Best Community for Music Education Award
Grammy Music Educator Semi Finalist
The Idaho Music Educators Association Music Educator of the Year
T.J. Has written and received over $130,000 in grants
During his undergraduate studies Mr. Eriksen was an associate director of the concert band, saxophone choir, and jazz band iii, while also being the rehearsal assistant for jazz choir I and jazz band I. Heavily involved in all aspects of his education, Mr. Eriksen was a teaching assistant under daniel bukvich for music theory and aural skills.
\T.J. student taught with famed band director Fred Dole, past president of the Washington State Music Educators Association and director of bands and choirs at Charles Francis Adams high school in Clarkston, Washington.
Mr. Eriksen was offered the saxophone studio and jazz studies teaching assistantship from the Lionel Hampton school of musicand began\graduate work in saxophone performance. Mr. Eriksen studied saxophone with Dr. Vanessa Sielert and completed his research document, a performance and recording history of the baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola. During this time Mr. Eriksen’s teaching duties included private lessons, saxophone quartet, saxophone fundamentals for saxophone studio, saxophone techniques for music education majors, and was the graduate director of jazz band iii. Mr. Eriksen also continued being a teaching assistant under Daniel Bukvich for aural skills, music theory, jazz theory, and the assistant director of jazz choir I and jazz band I.
T.J. Eriksen has been the director of bands at Eagle High School since 2008. Multiple EHS band ensembles have been recognized for their quality musicianship at festivals and competitions. The EHS band program has received numerous awards for their outstanding performances in all aspects of the program. EHS ensembles have been featured three times at the Idaho music educator's all-state conference. The EHS band program has enjoyed commissioning and premiering pieces by regional composers such rob walker, Jeff chambers, Dr. Vern Sielert, and Daniel Bukvich. T.J. Has been an advocate for music education through the West Ada school district, Idaho District II Music Educators, Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra advisory board, Gene Harris jazz festival advisory board, the Idaho State Department of Education humanities standards executive committee, and the ISDOE humanities preparation standards committee.
T.J. Belongs to multiple professional music organizations including Pi Kappa Lambda, Idaho music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the North American Saxophone Alliance. Performing both jazz and concert repertoire, Mr. Eriksen enjoys all types of music and continues to perform in multiple ensembles throughout the treasure valley. He has performed with a variety of musicians including the Four Tops, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Supremes, The Temptations, Claudio Roditi, Jeff Hamilton, John clayton, Bill Watrous, Wycliffe Gordon, Chuck Findley, Randy Brecker, and Dave Liebman. Mr. Eriksen has performed with the Boise Philharmonic, Treasure Valley concert band, the Kings of Swing, $oul Purpo$e, and currently enjoys performing with the Boise Modern Jazz Orchestra and the Boise Saxophone Quartet. Mr. Eriksen also enjoys adjudicating and working with bands around the northwest.
T.J. Has been the recipient of many awards including:
Idaho Master Educator
Eagle high School Teacher of the Year
N.A.M.M. Best Community for Music Education Award
Grammy Music Educator Semi Finalist
The Idaho Music Educators Association Music Educator of the Year
T.J. Has written and received over $130,000 in grants