Haven Kahn

Saxophonist Haven Kahn has earned national and international recognition as a soloist and chamber musician. He is a first-place winner of the Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition and has received top prizes and finalist distinctions from the Music Teachers National Association, the North American Saxophone Alliance, Petrichor International Music Competition, and multiple other national and international competitions. Alongside the Synchrony Quartet, Haven has received the grand prize in the Coltman Chamber Music Competition as well as first prizes in MTNA Chamber Music Competition and the North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition. Haven and Synchrony Quartet were also the first recipients of the Anne D. Moran Silver Prize at the Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition and selected as a finalist for Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.

Haven performs frequently as a soloist, with notable performances including John Williams’ Escapades with the JMU Wind Symphony, Jacques Ibert’s Concertino da Camera with the JMU Symphony Orchestra, and soloist appearances with wind symphonies, orchestras, and jazz ensembles. Currently, he serves as the principal alto and soprano saxophonist of the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

Equally active in chamber music, Haven has performed extensively as a member of saxophone quartets and ensembles, including serving as baritone saxophonist of the Synchrony Quartet. He has participated in numerous premieres and consortium projects, collaborating closely with composers on new works for saxophone quartet and saxophone ensemble. Haven is committed to contemporary music and has premiered works by emerging composers while contributing arrangements for saxophone in both solo and quartet contexts.

Haven is deeply invested in teaching and mentorship. He currently serves as a Graduate Assistant in Saxophone at Northwestern University, where he teaches undergraduate majors and non-majors and leads introductory jazz instruction for classical saxophonists. Haven also works as a music theory and aural skills tutor and maintains a private saxophone studio. In addition, he has taught sectional rehearsals and coached high school students, serving as the saxophone instructor at Niles North High School.

Haven is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, studying with Taimur Sullivan. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance with a minor in Jazz Studies from James Madison University, where he studied with David Pope.