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.

  • Originally from a small town in Southwest Wyoming, Mikayla is a first year Doctor of Musical Arts student at the University of North Texas.

    During her undergraduate degree at the University of Wyoming, she found herself competing as a National Finalist in the 2017 MTNA Young Artist Competition and performing for many notable saxophonists including Dan Goble, Erik Steighner, and Claude Delangle. She can be heard on the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble’s first commercially recorded album, Winds of the Snowys! In addition, she was awarded 1st prize in the 2019 Dorothy Jacoby Concerto Competition at the University of Wyoming, and selected as the 2019 Presser Undergraduate Scholar by the faculty.

    After leaving Wyoming, Mikayla moved to Texas in 2020 to pursue a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance with Dr. Eric Nestler. It was during this time that she found her admiration for Music Business.

    Currently, Mikayla is the teaching assistant for the Music Business & Entrepreneurship program at UNT. She teaches saxophone lessons in the DFW Metroplex and elementary music in Irving, TX. She works with StringRise, a business that creates equity, dismantles disparity gaps, and removes barriers that keep historically underserved students from accessing high quality string education.

    In the future, Mikayla hopes to teach at the collegiate level, own her own saxophone academy, and move somewhere close to the mountains.

  • Seeking to extend the bounds of saxophone pedagogy and performance, Trek Boyland is a passionate performer and music educator who emphasizes the art of storytelling though expression, artistry, and musicianship. As a multi-faceted instrumentalist, with training on saxophone, flute, and clarinet, Trek Boyland maintains an active artistic presence in North and Central Texas.

    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, who seeks to disseminate compelling repertoire at the highest level and give back to the community by providing masterclasses, recitals, and private lessons within public school systems in DFW.

    Beyond performing, Trek regularly presents masterclasses, clinics, and performances at public schools and universities. 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. As an advocate for student opportunity and success, Trek additionally serves as the saxophone instructor at Argyle and Lake Dallas Middle/High School. During his tenure at Argyle and Lake Dallas, his students have enjoyed awards such as all-region and all-state placements.

    Trek currently serves as the Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. During his time there, he dedicates his time towards his students and community. Hailing from Abilene, Texas and currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in saxophone performance at the University of North Texas studying with Dr. Eric Nestler. Trek has graduated with his Master of Music Degree in saxophone performance (2021) at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music studying with Dr. James Bunte. In the spring of 2019, Trek completed a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education at Stephen F. Austin State University as a student of Nathan Nabb.

  • 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.