Ciara Hill

Director - Orlando Youth Saxophone Choir

Ciara Hill holds a Master of Music degree from Georgia State University (GSU) in Atlanta, where she studied with Dr. Jan Berry Baker. During her time at GSU, Ciara was a member of the award-winning Centennial and Vinea saxophone quartets. She performed at the 2018 CBDNA Southern Division Conference as a member of the GSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Robert J. Ambrose. Ciarareceived her Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Central Florida (UCF), where she studied with Dr. George Weremchuk and performed with various saxophone quartets. While at UCF, Ciara was a member of the Wind Ensemble, and also performed in one of the jazz ensembles. She has been a member of saxophone choirs at both UCF and GSU. Ciara studied saxophone with Orlando area musician and educator, Scott Devlin, throughout her middle school and high school years. Ciara had the privilege of studying with Dr. Frederick L. Hemke, Dr. Gail B. Levinsky, Dr. Sean Hurlburt, and Dr. John Sampen at the Frederick L. Hemke Saxophone Institute in Maine during the summers of 2014 and 2016. 

Ciara has performed as a concerto soloist with the UCFSymphony Orchestra. She has taught at the Stetson University Saxophone Workshop and Saxophone Colossus Camps, and taught saxophone lessons as well as elementary music classes at Community Music Centers of Atlanta. She is a member of the Orlando area group, Hippocrene Saxophone Ensemble, based at UCF. Ciara has performed at or attended many professional conferences and competitions across the country including the International Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, the North American Saxophone Alliance, and the Music Teachers National Association. Ciara has taught private saxophone lessons, as well as clinics and sectionals, in Atlanta, GA and the greater Orlando, FL area. She is currently based in Clermont, FL and teaches saxophone and piano lessons at Garden Music School in Winter Garden, FL. Ciara’s private saxophone students have earned Superior ratings at the Solo & Ensemble festival.

Throughout her years of studying music, Ciara has come to understand that every note has a purpose. She enjoys guiding her students to discover that purpose for themselves – to discover what the music means to them, and to experience the joy and connectivity of making music with others.

Pictures by: Joshua Heaney