About Dr. Dufresne
About Jonathan Dufresne
Jonathan Dufresne currently serves as Assistant Director for Music Admissions and Public Engagement in the School of Music. Prior to this position, he worked as a Graduate Assistant in Music Admissions and as an administrative intern for the Lyric Theatre @ Illinois program. He also worked alongside the marketing team at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts to promote various events within the Lyric Theatre program.
As a saxophonist, Dr. Dufresne has been described as having a “deliciously smooth sound” (The News-Gazette), and has been invited to perform internationally in Austria, Netherlands, Canada, and several venues across the United States, including Carnegie Hall. He also performed as a soloist with the University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Wind Symphony, Hindsley Symphonic Band, LMEA Symphony Orchestra, St. James Episcopal Choir, and the LSU Jazz Ensemble to name a few. Valuing versatility, he has also performed with cover bands and occasional celebrities such as Ginuwine and Robin Thicke, for numerous wedding receptions, corporate events, private parties, festivals, and sporting events including the 2020 Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Recent accomplishments include first prize in the 2024 Krannert Debut Artist Competition, second prize in the 2023 MTNA Chamber Music Competition, first prize in the 2022 UISO Concerto Competition, first prize in the 21st Century Talents International Solo Competition, finalist in the 2024 NASA Collegiate Quartet Competition and 2021 Coltman Chamber Music Competition, and semi-finalist in the 2021 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.
As an educator, Dr. Dufresne has held several teaching positions such as saxophone instructor at Lincoln Land Community College and at middle and high schools across the south Louisiana region. Two of these positions include saxophone instructor at Juban Parc Jr. High School in Juban, Louisiana and Dutchtown High School in Geismar, Louisiana. Throughout his time in Louisiana, he consistently maintained a private studio of 11-15 students, many of which have participated in the LMEA All State ensembles.
Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Music from Louisiana State University, a Master of Music from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, also from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jonathan’s former teachers include Debra Richtmeyer, Griffin Campbell, Chip McNeill, Ron Bridgewater, Doug Stone, and Jennifer C. Foret, with additional study under renowned composer/arranger and jazz bassist, Bill Grimes.
Education
- D.M.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- M.M., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- B.M., Louisiana State University