Indianapolis, IN -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/30/2012 -- Yamaha Artist Services Indianapolis congratulates two highly talented young musicians, Jasper Dutz and Tom English, on two highly impressive achievements. Dutz and English, winners of the 2011 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition (YYPA) for jazz saxophone and bassoon respectively, were selected to perform in the 2012 Music for All - Honor Jazz Ensemble and 2012 Music for All - Honor Orchestra. These prestigious ensembles showcase the nation’s finest high school musicians. Dutz and English, both high school seniors, are the first YYPA winners to ever receive a coveted MFA Honor Ensemble position. The ensembles performed in March in Indianapolis.

“Being selected to participate in the YYPA competition was an invaluable learning experience for me,” says Dutz. “The whole process, though highly competitive, was also highly congenial. It taught me a great deal about the value of combining good communication with good musicianship, and I left with a renewed aspiration to become not only a great musician, but also a great person. I truly believe that outlook helped me earn the position at MFA, and I’m extremely positive about the future and what lies ahead.”

According to English: “YYPA was one of the most unique solo experiences of my life, allowing me to learn about how to succeed as a performer while having a great time making new friends that are as passionate about music as I am. Participating in the Honor Orchestra of America at the Music for All Festival was also a tremendous learning experience that will surely stay with me as I pursue my passion for music.”

According to Yamaha Artist Services Indianapolis Director John Wittmann, “Beyond their innate talent and musicality, Jasper and Tom share a passion for their music that makes them both a real inspiration to watch. We’re thrilled, though not surprised, at their growing track record of accomplishments.”

Dutz’s music career started at age seven, when he began playing the clarinet under the tutelage of renowned performer and educator, Darryl Tanikawa. In middle school, Dutz became interested in playing jazz and when he was introduced to the saxophone, he knew there was no going back. Dutz has been a part of multiple jazz groups ever since, and continues to study the saxophone under the instruction of Walter Smith III, Jason Goldman, Gary Foster and Kim Richmond.

Dutz has played at renowned venues such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Alex Theatre, Colburn Conservatory’s Zipper Hall, The Jazz Standard in New York and the Blue Whale Jazz Club in Los Angeles. He has also performed with such artists as Dianne Reeves, Joshua Redman, Greg Field, Barry Manilow, Natalie Cole, Monica Mancini, and Herbie Hancock. Most recently, Dutz participated as the “Featured Young Artist” in the Yamaha sponsored 1st Annual Disneyland Jazz Festival – an exclusive jazz education, celebration and performance-filled weekend for talented young musicians.

English grew up in Carmel, Indiana, where he began playing the bassoon at age 12 under the instruction of Kara Stolle, principal bassoonist of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. In 2010, he began working with Dr. Doug Spaniol, Professor of Bassoon at Butler University. As a member of Carmel High School, English has performed with several distinguished ensembles, like the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony I, which have played all around the country.

Among his other orchestral activities, English has performed as principal with the New World Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Indiana All-State Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony’s Side-by-Side Orchestra, the Honor Orchestra of America, and the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp where he received the Maddy Summer Artist award in 2011.

As a soloist, he has won the ISO’s Side-by-Side concerto competition, performed as soloist on the radio program “From the Top,” and, just recently, received third place at the Maurer Young Musician’s Contest. An avid learner, English enjoys studying history and Latin alongside his music. He has been named a National Merit Finalist for the class of 2012, and plans to attend college in the fall to pursue a degree in bassoon performance.

For more information about Yamaha, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622-6600; call (714) 522-9011; email infostation@yamaha.com; or visit http://www.yamaha.com.

About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) is one of the largest subsidiaries of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of award-winning musical instruments and sound reinforcement products to the U.S. market. Products include: Yamaha acoustic, digital and hybrid pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio equipment, Steinberg recording products and Nexo commercial audio products. YCA markets innovative, finely crafted technology products and musical instruments targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, professional music and installation markets.