Alexia McLean
"I always strive to promote healthy habits when it comes to my students' and my own playing. Key Leaves is PERFECT with their innovation of preventing sticky keys naturally and creating new and effective ways to take care of our horns.” - Alexia McLean (Saxophonist, Educator, Diversity & Inclusion Advocate)
Alexia McLean is a professional saxophonist who has a passion for closing equity gaps, promoting success, and bringing awareness of inclusion in the music community.
As part of her efforts as a DEI Arts Advocate, Alexia has presented several lectures at the NASA Biennial and Regional Conferences, discussing topics such as promoting DEI in the music community, how to make yourself a marketable musician, and music career stereotypes. During her time at the LSU School of Music, she has instituted the Diversity & Inclusion Student Organization, where she served as the Faculty Advisor in its first year. Alexia is appointed as the Social Media Director and serves as the Social Media Coordinator for the Committee on the Status of Women within the North American Saxophone Alliance. Alexia is certified as a Safe Space Member, where the mission is to affirm and support LGBTQ+ and gender expansive identities, from Louisiana State University’s LGBTQ+ Project. She also holds the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business.
As a performer, Alexia has premiered and recorded the new composition “In A Cloud, Aimless” by composer Stephen Browne in May 2021. She has performed at the 2017 NASA Regional 6 Conference, with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, and with the LSU Threepenny (Die Dreigroschenoper) Opera. Alexia has placed first in the graduate division of the 2018 NOLA Chamberfest with the Magnolia Saxophone Quartet. She has also participated in the 2017 Ocala Symphony Young Artist Competition and has premiered works for composers Jase Nugent and Luciano Correa. She performed in Duo Vim, where the saxophone duet has given a masterclass and performed a Guest Artist Recital at the University of North Florida. Alexia currently performs as a soloist, and creates video content that appeals to a wider audience, bringing more awareness to what the saxophone is capable of.
Alexia attained her education at various universities, with her highest level earned as a Master of Music from Louisiana State University. She attained her Bachelor of Music Performance at the University of North Florida. Her saxophone teachers include Griffin Campbell, Michael Bovenzi, and Jeremy Williamson.
As an experienced and critically acclaimed educator, students of Alexia’s studio have routinely made All-State and District Bands within Florida, Louisiana and Texas. She has given masterclasses and clinics across the United States, including Hastings College, Portland State University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and more. Alexia currently serves as the Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions at Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Alexia McLean is a D'Addario Performing Artist and a Key Leaves Performing Artist. She performs on Selmer saxophones.