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Nikko Dunbar

835

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

Gigging, Busking Musician that collaborates with others to make great music. I attend a school of the arts specializing in Instrumental performance. I’m a lively, high energy player and want to pursue the passion of using music to bring people together and to make something that lasts.

Education

Legacy Of Educational Excellence H S

High School
2021 - 2025

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Music
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Music

    • Dream career goals:

      To perform at big live venues

    • Gym Maintenance

      Mavericks Gymnastics
      2019 – Present5 years

    Research

    • Music

      North East School Of The Arts — Reed player and student
      2021 – Present

    Arts

    • North East School Of The Arts

      Music
      Funny Girl(2023), Disney's The Little Mermaid(2022), An American In Paris(2021), Legally Blonde(2022), HMS Pinafore(2022), Fall Concert (2021), Chamber Concert(2021), Film Concert (2022), Senior Concert(2022), Back In Black(2022), Dissonance(2022), Film Concert(2023), New Horizons(2023)
      2021 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Food Bank of San Antonio — line worker
      2021 – 2021

    Future Interests

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    Rene Adrian Sandoval Sr. Jazz Scholarship
    Winner
    As a reed player who started on the bass clarinet, my favorite jazz musician is Harry Carney and his successor Joe Temperley. The rich sound he gets out when he plays bass clarinet is inspiring in the sense of the desired sound I want. His work on the reimagination of the Peer Gynt suit by Duke Ellington really stood out to me since I was given the opportunity to play it as well. The excellently written baritone sax part for Morning Mood and Anitra's Dance along with the sad, dragging song that is Ase's Death for bass clarinet. It's the perfect song for a low and somber bass clarinet, which Harry Carney does beautifully. That sound in particular gave me heavy inspiration on what I want my bass clarinet sound to be. Another song a adore is Sophisticated Lady, featuring Harry Carney. In Duke Ellington's live albums you can hear the version of Sophisticated Lady where the baritone saxophone has the melody and solo. The expression Harry Carney puts into that solo each time is outstanding to me. Personally, it's one of my favorite solos of all time and is really what I want my sound on baritone saxophones to be. Harry Carney has always been my favorite voice to listen to when listening to Duke Ellington and he has also become an inspiration towards my sound. As an honorable mention, Harry Carneys successor, Joe Temperley's solo for bass clarinet in a rendition of Single Petal Of A Rose has such a beautiful sound. In fact, I loved it so much I made it my senior piece for my last concert. It's charm is the emotion put into it and it's all thanks to the player. Joe Temperley, despite never meeting him, has shown me that you don't have to be the original in order to fill their shoes. Harry Carney and Joe Temperley have guided me to the sound I want today.