Erik Steighner
Saxophone Instructor
Erik Steighner has been praised by the Tacoma News Tribune for his "effortless lyricism" as well as his "smooth tone and fluid virtuosity." Steighner has performed with ensembles including the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Federal Way Symphony, Northwest Sinfonietta, Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, and Symphony Tacoma. In addition to his teaching position in the Community Music Department at the University of Puget Sound, Steighner has served on the faculty of Texas State University and currently teaches at Pacific Lutheran University and Tacoma Community College, where his course loads have included Saxophone, Chamber Music, Music Theory, and Digital Music. He is also founder and conductor of the South Sound Saxophone Ensemble.
Steighner has premiered dozens of solo and chamber works and appears on CD releases from labels including Albany Records, Alea Publishing, Mark Custom, Naxos, Reference Recordings, and Vienna Modern Masters. Steighner holds a bachelor degree in music and English from the University of Puget Sound and master and doctoral degrees from The University of Texas at Austin. He is a Conn-Selmer artist and plays on Selmer Paris saxophones and mouthpieces.