Alex Lemon



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Burnout Begone; How Saxophone Student Dae Taylor Found Joy By Branching Out

By Alex Lemon, Kevin Barrett and Wilson Godfrey

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Apr. 3, 2025)

Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University-Bloomington is one of the most prestigious music schools in the country, reserved for only the best high school musicians from around the world. The audition process is grueling, the workload is intense and burnout rates are high. However, Sophomore saxophone student Dae Taylor looks to be the exception as he is no stranger to the bright lights and center stage. From his start in middle school, through the enduring times of Covid-19 and now debuting concerto’s in college with his quartet, Dae has always been ready to put on a show.

Dae Taylor raises his eyebrows to try and strike the high note. This technique is used by saxophonists to open up their embouchure.

Dae has been exposed to saxophone his whole life, and chose the instrument because of his father, who he listened to practice saxophone growing up. As he started practicing and performing, Dae quickly realized that he not only loved to perform, but progress as a musician. This drive led him to Saxophone teacher Dana Booher, who has become his mentor. 

“I’d get to see him perform sometimes and it was always… super inspiring, you know? I want to play like him one day and see how far I can go.”

It was with his teacher that he found out what it meant to truly perform and influenced his drive to become an artist himself. However, Dae’s dream came to a screeching halt during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 “I went almost two years without performing live music,” Dae said. But instead of giving up, he looked towards the future, working towards that first performance back. Following this unexpected delay, Dae picked up exactly where he left off, loving saxophone the same, if not more. 

“It was just… A joy. A feeling like no other is really what I thought, especially in the moment,” Dae said. “It was a mundane performance in many ways, but in that way it’s really stuck with me. It made me realize again how passionate I am about performing and playing with other musicians.”

Following these performances, Dae made the decision to pursue saxophone performance at the highest level. He made it his goal to study under his teachers mentor, Dr. Otis Murphy at IU

To become the best version of an artist he could be, Dae knew that he would have to continue to develop all new styles which is what he has set out to do by branching out into many different types of performing, from solo work to quartets and also large chamber ensembles. For Dae, each one of these different types of performing allows him to reach into a different emotion and create something new each and every time. This has allowed him to avoid burnout and create a sense of joy in every opportunity, especially with his quartet, Hyperion.

The Hyperion Quartet rehearses for their Concerto debut. Written by a fellow undergrad, the quartet has found that rehearsing together makes them more confident for the performance.

 

 

 

“When I play with my quartet, I feel like it’s a conversation. You’re talking with these other musicians, you’re communicating and you’re really trying to create one cohesive texture and it’s always a great time… it’s very special.”

This feeling isn’t only a bright spot for Dae, but also other members of his quartet

“It’s nice to bring [a quartet] back to the studio and to have a quartet with some guys that were really good friends,” Hyperion quartet member Wyland Diehl said. “The vibe during the rehearsals their really good. We have some laughs, sometimes we get off topic but we’re able to lock in and get all our stuff done so it’s really nice.” 

Through the Hyperion quartet as well as Dae’s own artistic ability has made him a go-to undergraduate saxophonist for fellow undergraduate composers looking to debut new music, which has led to many opportunities for both Dae individually and the Hyperion quartet. These experiences at once in a lifetime performances help shape not only how he plays his saxophone, but how he looks at the notes on the page. 

“If I can get into the zone… really start feeling the music, I’m leaning into the phrases, [and] trying to make it more than just notes,” Dae said. 

Dae, however, is not only the performer, but is also active in the writing process. Dae has found a sense of excitement from getting to work with these composers and beamed at the idea of being apart of the editing process alongside each composer.

“That’s what I think is really fun about playing new music and working with living composers is that you can really get into the music with the person who wrote it,” Dae said.

From following in his mentors footsteps to now majoring in music performance, Dae has carved out a path and sound at IU that is truly his own.

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Apple CEO Tim Cook Shows off new Apple Watch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts

Ben Cowles: Photographer
Anna Bryson: Editor
Alex Lemon: Writer

CUPERTINO, California. (Sept. 9th, 2014) –

Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the companies new Apple Watch which utilizes a brand new user interface to infuse it’s iPhone technology with a wrist watch on Tuesday.

The introductory video for the Apple Watch was met with a standing ovation by the audience at Apple’s WorldWide Developer Conference held at Apple Park, the companies HeadQuarters. In this video, Apple highlighted many features that grant users the ability to make each Apple Watch unique. Features include customizable layouts, a simple to use interface and interchangeable wristbands. 

The Apple Watch, set for release in early 2015, will come in three different editions; Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. With the release of their new product, Apple has continued its line of groundbreaking technology.

“It’s so simple and elegant, it’s something only Apple could do,” Cook said. 

Cook and Vice President Kevin Lynch showed off the three main purposes of the Apple Watch. First, it functions as a fast and reliable time keeper with a clock that “is accurate within plus or minus 50 milliseconds,” Cook said. Second, the Apple Watch’s communication system has created a new and fun way to get in touch with friends. With the simple motion of your wrist, the user is able to view notifications and even respond to messages. Using the Quick Board feature, messages can easily be responded to with analyzed responses or silly emojis. Finally, Cook mentions its ability to work as a fitness band for all types of individuals. It is able to accomplish this through the two separate apps that come installed on the watch, the fitness and workout apps. With the Apple Watch, the potential for fitness growth is limitless.

Bloison Lawee glances at his new Apple Watch, adjusting the settings. Lawee uses his watch to track his assignments for school, keep up with friends and log his medications

“Apple builds great products that enrich people’s lives,” Cook said, “and arguably, we can take that to a whole new level with Apple Watch.”

Developers at Apple understood that a change would need to be made for the interface to be optimized for this new device. Instead of using your finger to scroll, Apple implemented a sleek dial on the side which they are calling the digital crown. This digital crown allows users to zoom in and out as well as navigate the user interface without blocking the user’s view of the screen. This proactive step of incorporating a more useful function to an everyday device like the dial on a watch, Apple proves they have spent deep thought on both form and function.

“It can be worn all day, for any occasion,” Cook said.

Jeremy Cowles uses a lathe to whittle down a piece of wood for a table project. Cowles uses his apple watch to play podcasts about wood working, keep in touch with family, and respond to calls while he is wood working.

Each user can make their Apple Watch unique, not just with the interface but with its six boldly unique types of straps. All of these straps, which come in many vibrant colors, can be easily interchanged with one another with a simple interlocking system. These bands can be used for function, with the user’s choice of a chemical resistant band or a leather buckle and stainless steel straps.

“Apple Watch is the most personal device Apple has ever created,” Cook said.

The Apple watch will start at $349 upon its release. The Apple Watch will work with your iPhone, allowing the Apple Watch to pull up messages and allow responses. Due to this, the iPhone is necessary for use of the Apple Watch. 

The Apple Watch comes with its magnetic charging cable which easily attaches to the back of the watch for charging. With its 18 hour battery life, the Apple Watch can last users all day and charge rapidly overnight.  The Apple Watch comes in a 38 or 42 millimeter screen and comes in two separate finishes, stainless steel or space black. 


Apple CEO Tim Cook exhibits the company’s new product, the Apple Watch in Cupertino, California. He described the features that differentiate the watch from other products on Tuesday.

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