About Me

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Alex Farrar is a Bloomington, IN based saxophonist and educator finishing up a double degree program in saxophone performance and mathematics at Indiana University and the Jacobs School of Music. Born in Corona, CA in 2001 and later moving to Columbus, IN at age 8, Alex showed an early interest in music beginning piano lessons with Dr. Stephen Reen soon after arriving in Indiana. Alex began playing saxophone at 10 years of age and began formally studying saxophone in high school at age 13 with Dr. Heidi Radtke and began studies with Paul Lorenz two years later in 2017. 

Throughout high school, Alex earned a number of accolades: advancing to the semi finals of the Classics Alive Young Artists National Auditions in 2017; winning the Betty F. Brown Scholarship for Instrumental Excellence in the junior division in 2017 and 2018 and secured the first place prize in the senior division in 2019; advancing to the finals of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra Young Artist concerto competition in 2018 (the first saxophonist to do so in the history of the competition!) as well as winning several other competitions and awards. Further, Alex earned spots in several honor ensembles including the Indiana Bandmaster's Association All-State ensembles in 2017 and 2018, the Indiana Jazz Educator's Association All-State Ensemble in 2018, the Indiana Music Educator's Association All-State Orchestra in 2019, and the National Association for Music Educators' All-National Honor Concert Band in 2017 (2nd Chair) and 2018 (principal).

In his undergraduate studies, Alex Farrar has pursued a rigorous coursework, studying saxophone with Otis Murphy and supplementing his musical studies with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and additional coursework in Spanish. While at Indiana University, Alex performed in a masterclasses with Masaki Tadenuma and the Count Basie Orchestra, performed with the Indiana University Latin Jazz Ensemble under the direction of seven-time Grammy nominee Wayne Wallace, built and maintained a private lessons studio, and was a winner in the 2021 Society of Actuaries International Case Study Challenge.

Currently, Alex Farrar works as a private lessons teacher in south-central Indiana, leading a studio of 29 students at Columbus North, Columbus East, and Greenwood High Schools. Alex Farrar is also a sought after solo performer playing for several organizations: Palacio Palace, BlankUS Luxury Lounge, Exhibit Columbus, LAA Office, and Nomad Arts.