B i o g r a p h y
Nathan Mensink is a Henri Selmer performing artist active in both classical and jazz styles and is assistant professor of saxophone at Arkansas Tech University. His musical endeavors have taken him across the United States and Europe. Mensink is a frequent soloist with various university ensembles, orchestras, and community groups, most recently giving the premiere of a new saxophone concerto, Birds of Paradise, by composer James Syler with the Arkansas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Other notable solos include being featured with the Morehead State University Symphony Band at the 2022 KMEA conference on Libby Larsen's Holy Roller, opening a Ben Folds concert with John Williams Escapades, and performing Ralph Martino’s Gershwin Fantasy under the baton of legendary conductor Colonel Arnald Gabriel.
Mensink has participated in the premiere of a few dozen works, many of which were featured at events such as the World Saxophone Congress, the International Navy Saxophone Symposium, the College Music Society Conference, the International Trombone Festival, and numerous other festivals.
He has performed with the New World Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, the Frost Symphony Orchestra, the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Frost Opera Theater, Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, Cave Run Symphony, Lynn Philharmonia, Arkansas Symphony and more. As an avid fan of jazz, he has backed artists such as Arturo Sandoval, Take Six, Michael Feinstein, Kirk Whalum, Harry Watters, Byron Stripling, and others.
In addition to professional conferences, Mensink strives to be involved in the local community and fervently advocates for music education. He can frequently be found visiting band programs in the region to perform with the students, give lessons, or answer questions about pursuing music as a career.
Previous teaching appointments include positions at Morehead State University in Kentucky and Palmetto Middle School in Florida. Mensink holds Doctoral and Master's degrees in saxophone performance from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL and a Bachelor's degree in music education from Utah State University in Logan, UT.
