MEET THE LOTUS SAXOPHONE QUARTET

  • Ricardo “Rico” Allen II is an emerging performer and educator from Dallas, Texas. Through his passion for music education, he aims to foster the next generation of young musicians. He is an alumni of Tarleton State University from which he holds the degree of Bachelor in Music Education. During his time at Tarleton, Rico has been the recipient of multiple awards such as, the Center Stage Scholarship, and Concerto Competition winner in both 2016 (Fantasia for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble, Smith) and 2018 (Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Wind Ensemble, Mackey). Rico was selected to participate in the 2018 CBDNA SW Regional Intercollegiate Band where he represented Tarleton as the tenor saxophonist.

    As an active performer, Rico has performed at various venues across the United States and Europe. In 2014, Rico traveled to New York City and performed at Carnegie Hall with the Tarleton State University Wind Symphony. In 2016, Rico toured Italy with the Tarleton State University Jazz Ensemble where they gave a number of performances across the country. In 2017, Rico was the baritone saxophone soloist for David Maslanka’s Hell’s Gate. Rico was selected to perform with both the World Adult Wind Orchestra Project and World Youth Wind Orchestra Project in Schladming, Austria from 2018-2022 where he played principal soprano/alto saxophone and baritone saxophone. Rico was the baritone saxophone soloist for the European premiere of Frank Ticheli’s Acadiana. Some notable artists/composers Rico has worked with include: Jon Faddis, Wycliffe Gordon, Dave Pietro, John Fedchock, Stockton Helbing, Terrell Stafford, The Four Tops, David Maslanka, and John Mackey to name a few.

  • Mikayla Peterson is a saxophonist and educator based in Denton, Texas. Originally from Wyoming, Mikayla became interested in performing from a very young age. With a degree in music education from the University of Wyoming, her Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, and now currently the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts she is pursuing, music has always been a significant part of her life. 

    Peterson has used the Bachelor of Music Education she obtained from the University of Wyoming to spread her appreciation of music in society to many students including children, adolescents, and adults. She has found herself teaching in many scenarios; as a Teaching Fellow for the Saxophone Studio and  UNT Music Business program at the University of North Texas, a saxophone instructor in Denton Independent School District, and as an elementary music teacher at Redeemer Montessori School in Irving, Texas.

    In addition to the educational aspect of her career, Mikayla also enjoys performing on a regular basis. She strives to show students that music can take people on a physical journey; allowing people to explore new cultures and traditions from around the world. As an active performer, Mikayla was named a National Finalist in the 2017 MTNA Young Artist Competition. She has performed for notable saxophonists including Claude Delangle, Dan Goble, and Erik Steighner. Peterson can be heard on the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble’s first commercially recorded album, Winds of the Snowy’s and was awarded first prize in the 2019 Dorothy Jacoby Concerto Competition at the University of Wyoming. During her Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees, Mikayla held the alto and tenor chair in the North Texas Wind Symphony and was a founding member of the Lotus Saxophone Quartet. The Lotus Quartet was invited to the 43rd International Saxophone Symposium in Fairfax, Virginia where they performed in a masterclass for Dr. Timothy McAllister. In December of 2023, Mikayla performed at the 19th World Saxophone Congress in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain with the UNT Saxophone Octet. 

    In addition to being a current doctoral student of Dr. Eric Nestler at UNT, Mikayla is pursuing a related field in Music Education and actively looks to expand her teaching and performing abilities. In the future, she hopes to continue teaching and performing music around the United States. When she has free time, she likes to hike around the beautiful mountains of Wyoming and spend time with her adorable cat, Lil’ Mi$$.

  • Seeking to extend the bounds of woodwind pedagogy and performance, Dr. Trek Boyland is a passionate performer and music educator who emphasizes the art of storytelling through expression, artistry, and musicianship. Boyland maintains a vibrant and diverse international schedule as a performer and clinician. His performances have taken him to the Canary Islands, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, and major cities such as Washington D.C., New York City, and Dallas. Dr. Boyland is a GRAMMY-affiliated nominated recording artist, appearing on Aaron Lazar’s album The Impossible Dream on tenor saxophone.

    Operating on international stages, Trek has been described to have “a beautiful, lofty sound” with “dynamic phrasing” (MTNA Young Artist Competition). By joining consortiums and premiers with artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Jeremy Howell, David Clay Mettens, and Viet Cuong, Trek seeks to uplift the innovation of contemporary music. As an active chamber musician, Trek recorded two albums with the 2021-2022 UNT Wind Symphony and holds the tenor chair in the saxophone quartet, Lotus Saxophone Quartet.

    His love for music education grew during his days in high school marching band. The precision and excellence that was required of students led Trek to nourish his affinity for music. Dr. Boyland serves as Assistant Professor of Music at East Texas Baptist University. He provides private lessons for all woodwind students, teaches music theory, woodwind methods, music appreciation, and directs the jazz band and woodwind ensemble at ETBU.

    Trek holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of North Texas. Dr. Boyland earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.

  • Benjamin Facundo is known for his “masterful technique” and “effortless stage presence,” (MTNA Young Artist Competition). He fuses the classical saxophone sound with the vigor of the contemporary style. Facundo entices his audiences by programing works from the Romantic, Jazz, Modern, and Minimalist eras. He draws inspiration from the likes of Eugene Rousseau, Joyce DiDinato, and Steven Banks.

    As an emerging artist, Facundo has performed on various stages in the United States, and Europe including the Navy Saxophone Symposium in Washington D.C and the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, Croatia. He is a versatile saxophonist, performing with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, and the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra. In 2021 he was featured on two albums: The Last Time This Happened, with the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble as lead alto and on Wyoming Saxophone Studio performing on alto and soprano saxophone. His latest project consists of being the baritone saxophonist for the UNT Wind Symphony’s last album, which is set to release in November of 2022.

    Facundo is currently on faculty at Tarrant County College as an Adjunct Professor where he teaches History of American Music and Applied Saxophone. He is currently continuing his studies as a Teaching Fellow at the UNT College of Music, where he is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance with a related field in music business.