Légère Endorsing Artist Johnny Salinas has been fortunate to perform and teach music on opposite sides of the world. He is currently the saxophone professor at Oklahoma State University Greenwood School of Music in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Previously, Dr. Salinas served as the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Soochow University School of Music located in Suzhou, is a major city located in southeastern Jiangsu Province of East China. While in China, Dr. Salinas performed many solo and chamber music recitals and had the opportunity to perform with the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

As a proud native of Houston, Texas, he has performed with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Houston Ballet, and as well as with Musiqa, an award-winning American contemporary music ensemble. He has performed as a soloist live on National Public Radio’s “The Front Row” and has given notable solo performances at venues such as the Shanghai Symphony Hall, the Jinan Grand Theatre, the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre, and Lila Cockrell Theatre. He has given additional performances throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Salinas is an award-winning chamber musician.

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As the soprano saxophonist of the Amethyst Saxophone Quartet, he won first prizes at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition, and the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition (MTNA). Other awards include the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, Chesapeake Bay Chamber Music Competition, Frank Huntington Beebe Fund, Hellam Young Artist Competition, and Andreas Makris Woodwind Competition. In addition to his appointment in China, Dr. Salinas has previously taught at Sam Houston State University, Houston Baptist University, Lone Star College, San Jacinto College, and Morehead State University. He has taught courses in applied saxophone, chamber music, woodwind methods, music appreciation, and music technology. His students have gone on to make the All-State Band in both Illinois and Texas and have been featured in master classes and performances at North American Saxophone Alliance Regional and National Conferences. Dr. Salinas holds degrees from Northwestern University and has studied with Frederick Hemke, Karen Wylie, and Jason Bird. Johnny Salinas plays on Légère Signature Reeds, Selmer Mouthpieces, and Yamaha Saxophones.