Brian Utley

Brian Utley is the Principal Senior Lecturer of Saxophone and Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) from Louisiana State University, with minors in Music Theory, as well as a Master of Music (M.M.) and Bachelor of Music (B.M.) from Louisiana State University and Murray State University, respectively.

Utley is a prominent performer and advocate of contemporary music, regularly appearing at national and international venues such as the North American Saxophone Alliance conferences, World Saxophone Congresses, and U.S. Navy Band Symposia. His recordings include the solo album Characters on the Mark Records label, featuring 21st-century American compositions with world premiere recordings. He also performs with ensembles like the Nashville Symphony, Intersection, and the Blair Wind Quintet.

Beyond performance, Utley serves as a clinician, adjudicator, and educator. He previously held the position of Associate Professor of Saxophone at Stephen F. Austin State University and taught at the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts. He is an endorsing artist for Légère Signature Series Reeds.