About

Described by Eugene Rousseau as, “a talented saxophonist,” Jason T. Laczkoski is an experienced educator, saxophonist, and conductor.  Jason has presented numerous solo and chamber recitals throughout the United States, performances at North American Saxophone Alliance conferences and the International Navy Saxophone Symposium, and appearances with collegiate and high school orchestras. 

Jason is an active clinician.  He has given masterclasses at numerous colleges and universities and has been an invited adjudicator in Pennsylvania, Kansas, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota.  Jason has presented clinics at both the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association all state conference and Kansas Music Educators Association all state conference, as well as the South Dakota Bandmaster’s conference. 

Jason studied saxophone with Dr. Joseph Murphy at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.  While completing a bachelor’s degree in music, with a minor in education, Jason won both the annual Mansfield University concerto competition and the Pennsylvania MTNA young artist competition. 

Upon completion of his undergraduate studies Jason earned a master’s degree in saxophone performance from the University of Iowa where he studied with world renowned saxophonist Dr. Kenneth Tse.  Jason was awarded the saxophone teaching assistantship during this time and also went on to win the Iowa MTNA young artist competition.  Jason remained at the University of Iowa for his doctoral studies.  He is currently ABD and expects completion of this degree in fall 2024.  In addition to his saxophone studies at Iowa, Jason completed a secondary area in conducting, studying with Myron Welch and Richard Mark Heidel.  

In January 2011 Jason was the winner of a national competition in which he won a grant to record his debut CD, Come Down Heavy!  This recording was released on the Emeritus Recordings label and is available directly from the artist, ITunes, and Amazon.  The peer reviewed Saxophone Journal described Jason’s performance on this cd as having, “a supple technique, rich sound, and ample musicianship, exhibits an impressive command of his instrument…one wants to hear him again.”  

An advocate of new music, Jason is constantly seeking out composers who write both intellectual and beautiful music.   He has commissioned music by such composers as Ian Stewart, Sy Brandon, David DeBoor Canfield, Baljinder Sekhon, John Griffin, and Josh Gottry.

Beyond saxophone, Jason has studied Body Mapping and Alexander Technique with Kay S. Hooper.  He frequently incorporates these concepts into his teaching and clinics. 

Currently, Jason is the director of bands and an assistant professor of music at Dakota Wesleyan University, in Mitchell SD.  In addition to directing the bands, Jason also teaches applied lessons, music education courses, directs the LyricWood Orchestra, and teaches the music history sequence. 

Jason is an active member of the North American Saxophone Alliance and the South Dakota Music Educators Association and NAfME.  He is a Yamaha Performing Artist and performs exclusively on Yamaha saxophones.  Jason is an E. Rousseau Mouthpiece Artist and performs exclusively on E. Rousseau mouthpieces.