A native of Southern California, Paul Cotton is an established performer and instructor in saxophone. Audiences have heard him play in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, Seoul Performing Arts Center, Nixon Library, Musical Arts Center in Bloomington, Carpenter Center, and numerous university campuses. Passionate about his commitment to new music, Paul has worked with numerous composers to perform their works including the IU New Music Ensemble under the direction of David Dzubay. Recently, his group, Empyrean Quartet, performed new works for saxophone quartet at the 2018 Society of Composers, Inc. National Conference as well as the “Hammer and Nail” project, featuring new works by IU composers. The Empyrean Quartet has also performed Don Freund’s Edge for Saxophone Quartet as featured chamber group in his Compositional Recital. Bringing his spirit for competition, Paul has won first place in the state round of MTNA young artists solo competition including first in the MTNA chamber music competition. He has performed in Carnegie Hall after winning 1st prize in the International American Protégé solo competition. Additionally, he won “Woodwind of the Year”, the Martin Figotin Performing Arts Scholarship, and the BCCM concerto competition from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. Paul has performed across the nation for numerous events, including the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) and the International Saxophone Symposium hosted by the Navy Band with his quartet in Virginia. Paul had the opportunity to work with Eugene Rousseau, Leo Potts, Dr. Timothy McAllister, Claude Delangle, Vincent David, Dr. Julia Nolan, Philippe Geiss and the Habanera Saxophone Quartet. He teaches online privately to young students all around Southern California, receiving top chairs in their high school band and honor bands which includes district and All-Southern.