.jpg)
Dustin FerreiraBiography
Dustin Ferreira is a Boston-based musician and educator, who performs and teaches professionally on the saxophone, clarinet and the flute.
At age five Dustin began his musical studies on the piano. He began studying the saxophone, clarinet and the flute shortly thereafter. As a child Dustin loved to stay up late practicing jazz and classical music. When the practicing ended, the listening began. At night he would listen to Eric Jackson’s jazz radio program on WGBH's 89.7FM absorbing the exciting melodies and the rich, complex harmonies. This deep, lifetime, connection to music and a disciplined 21 hour per week practice schedule led Dustin to be accepted to Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music. His practice routine, and studies of harmony, improvisation, and ear training allowed him to test out of 16 credits required at Berklee as a teenager.
During his time at Berklee, Dustin received the most rigorous training available on the saxophone, clarinet, flute, jazz, improvisation, classical music, and music education/teaching skills.
One of Dustin's primary private teachers/mentors was Berklee Woodwind Department Vice Chair Paul Wagner. Paul Wagner was a student of saxophone/clarinet legend Joe Viola (literally wrote the books on the highest level of jazz saxophone/clarinet playing). Paul passed down all of Joe's knowledge and advanced teaching methods to Dustin, along with his own teaching methods developed over many decades of teaching/composing at Berklee. Perhaps just as important as the methods themselves was Paul's instruction to always adapt/evolve/redevelop one's methods for the students of today. Dustin also studied with Saxophonist Fred Lipsius (1969 Grammy Winner), Jackie Beard, Dr. Peter Cokkinias (BSO/Boston Pops), and Andy McGhee (Jazz Sax Legend). He studied composition and counterpoint with the brilliant, and acclaimed composer Dr. Beth Denisch.
In '09 Dustin graduated from Berklee with high honors (Magna cum Laude). After completing his BM in Music Education and rigorous instrumental training, Dustin went on to earn his K-12 teaching certificate from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Over the years students from Dustin's private studio have received top scores in Jr./Sr. Districts and All State, been finalists at the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival, Mingus Jazz Festival, and have performed at many renowned venues including Carnegie Hall (2022 Winds Fest), Jordan Hall, and for two Governors at the Massachusetts State House.
When Dustin is not teaching or performing he is an avid cyclist. He is also a collector of rare and unusual woodwind instruments and books. The highlights of his instrument collection include many Henri Selmer Paris, C.G Conn, and Buescher saxophones, an unusual early Borgani soprano saxophone, and various models of Leblanc clarinets (including a very rare, mint-condition, Enhanced-Boehm system Dynamiqué model). You'll be sure to see some of the stars of the collection at concerts, or at your lessons!
