Teaching

Saxton Rose is Professor of Bassoon and chamber music at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. As a teacher Mr. Rose strives to provide his students with all the necessary tools to excel as a performer or music educator. From chamber music and solo répertoire to methods and orchestral studies, students receive an education customized to their individual goals yet well rounded and thorough.

If you are interested in applying to study at UNCSA, please contact me or apply online.

The NCSA Bassoon Studio

Kristen Goguen

Kristen Leigh Goguen, a Performing Artist Certificate candidate, received her MM from UNCSA in May 2008. While at UNCSA, Ms. Goguen served as principal bassoon of the UNCSA Symphony, the Opera orchestra, the ACME Contemporary Music Ensemble and was a finalist in the student concerto competition. She received her BM from the University of Kentucky in May 2006 and while there, served as principal bassoonist of the UK Symphony and Opera Orchestras. Ms. Goguen was a founding member of the Unstrung Funf woodwind quintet, serving as bassoonist from 2001-2006. She placed second in the Kentucky Music Teachers National Association Young Artists Competition in 2003 and again in 2004. Currently she is the second bassoonist of the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, based in Raleigh, NC, and is an active freelance bassoonist throughout the state of North Carolina. Her teachers include Saxton Rose, Mark Popkin, Marc Goldberg, John Heard, Amber Ferenz, Peter Simpson, and Matt Schuler.

K.C. Chai

Performing Artist Certificate candidate K.C. Chai is from Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He is a 2008 graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, where he earned a Master of Music Performance degree while studying with Christin Schillinger. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree with elective studies in business from Oklahoma State University. During his studies he had the opportunity to tour Japan and Great Britain. He aspires, after completing his degree at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, to complete a DMA and perform orchestrally abroad.

Sebastian Castellanos

Sebastian was born in Manizales, Colombia. "I have had the exciting life I dreamt about when I was a child, I played the bassoon in the Caldas University Symphony Orchestra during the last 10 years, and in the AULOS double reed quartet and the ARGONAVIS woodwind quintet, in my city. I met this mysterious instrument after hearing In the Hall of the Mountain King from Eduard Grieg's Peer Gynt and my passion for playing is after my first lesson with the Professor Carlos Sandoval, who was first chair in the National Symphony Orchestra from Colombia. Now, I am studying with Professor Saxton Rose at the UNCSA. I really enjoy simple things of life, drinking a cup of hot chocolate, doing Yoga and looking at a beautiful woman."

Juliana Mesa

Masters degree student Juliana Mesa was born in Medellin - Colombia. She is 24 years old and has been playing bassoon since she was 13. Juliana has extensive chamber music experience, especially performing world and Colombian music. She has participated in many festivals such as the Double Reed Festival in Panamá and the Mozart Festival in El Salvador. After graduating from the University "El Bosque" in Bogota, she is a student of Saxton Rose at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She loves playing in chamber music ensembles, having dinner with friends, and enjoys a very good cup of coffe!

Sparkle Walsh

Sparkle Walsh is a senior at UNCSA. She transferred from Hibriten High School in Lenoir North Carolina where she was the principal bassoonist in both the orchestra and band. She has been principal bassoonist for the Harper Youth Wind Ensemble, the Hickory Youth Orchestra, and the Winston-Salem Symphony Youth Orchetra. She has played the bassoon since the seventh grade and has sat in numerous honors band and honors orchestras.