Award-winning saxophonist, Jeffrey Heisler, is an Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Conducting in the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Oakland University. He holds degrees from Bowling Green State University (D.M.A., M.M.) where he studied with Distinguished Artist Professor John Sampen and Central Michigan University (B.M.E.) where he studied saxophone with John Nichol. Among his significant accomplishments include a 2005 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition 1st prize gold medal as the soprano saxophonist with the Blue Square Saxophone Quartet, Outstanding Classical Instrumentalist in Downbeat Magazine’s (2002) Music Awards, and prizewinner at the MTNA National Chamber Music and Solo Competitions. Heisler's research interests include the creation of new repertoire for the saxophone. He has worked with the Pulitzer-Prize winning composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich on a transcription of her violin work Episodes for soprano saxophone and piano, a work of which he gave the world premiere. He also collaborated with electronic music pioneer and composer Morton Subotnick in creating a new version of his In Two Worlds for alto saxophone and interactive computer (MAX/MSP). Heisler has performed the premiere performances of his composer-approved transcriptions of Steve Reich’s Vermont Counterpoint (for saxophone(s) and pre-recorded tape), Chen Yi’s Monologue (for solo soprano saxophone), and Louis Andriessen’s Elegy (for tenor saxophone and piano). In addition, he has presented the American premieres of Recit (Chemins VII) by Luciano Berio, Blitz by Vincent Dunet, Magic by Ivan Fedele, Entfuhrung by Karlheinz Stockhausen and in 2009, premiered Double Image, a concerto for saxophone(s) and wind ensemble by David R. Gillingham. Heisler is in demand as a guest recitalist and has appeared at the prestigious Portes Ouvertes aux Noveaux Talents concert series in Paris, France, The Yamaha Center for Performing Arts in Taipei, Taiwan, Ball State University’s New Music Festival, the Interlochen Arts Academy, Grand Valley State University’s Free Play Concert Series, Central Michigan University’s Alumni Series, BGSU’s New Music & Art Festivals, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conferences, and the XIII World Saxophone Congress. He has performed with Brave New Works, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Benny Goodman Orchestra, John Philip Sousa Band, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Midland Symphony Orchestra, and the Stuttgart Ballet Orchestra. Prior to his appointment at Oakland University, Heisler served on the faculties of Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) and Kent State University (Kent, OH).