Miguel Zamudio is an experienced saxophonist and pianist familiar with a variety of ensembles. Miguel has over a decade of experience in ensembles such as classical bands, jazz big bands, combos, saxophone quartets, marching bands, orchestras, pit orchestras, and choirs. Currently, Miguel plays with the Townline jazz combo as the lead saxophone player at the School for Music Vocations (SMV) in Creston, Iowa. 

Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Miguel got his start into music in primary school on the alto saxophone. He continued his musical studies through secondary school and began his pursuit of music-focused studies at post-secondary schools in 2020. Miguel, having always exceeded in his playing on the saxophone, took up piano lessons starting his first year of high school. At this time is when he started to pursue music seriously and his passion for playing directed his attention through his education. 

Throughout Miguel’s high school education, he attained several musical achievements and awards such as and being awarded a letter every year in band to recognize outstanding musicianship, receiving SCIBA’s Outstanding Performer Award for a jazz solo, and earning the Louis Armstrong award--the highest-level interscholastic jazz award given to students at high schools in the United States. During his studies, Miguel was recognized as a gifted and talented student within the Des Moines school district for his piano playing. In his piano studies he took an interest in classical and jazz styles that led him to taking jazz piano lessons from accomplished pianist Nate Sparks in 2019. Miguel was offered many opportunities outside of school such as playing first chair in the Des Moines Youth Wind Ensemble, directing a saxophone quartet, being invited to play with the Grandview University band, playing in honor bands such as the Drake Honor Band, and most notably touring Europe with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music in 2018. 

After high school, Miguel spent a brief time studying at the Berklee College of Music in 2020 pursuing a post-secondary education focused on music and the saxophone. After leaving the school in 2021, he became involved with the local college bands in Des Moines where he would play with the DMACC jazz band and the Grandview Woodwind Ensemble as he developed his chops as a clarinet player. Miguel’s newfound connections and passions as an excelling musician eventually led him to college again in 2023. 

Currently, Miguel studies at the School for Music Vocations at the Southwestern Community College (SWCC) in Creston, Iowa. Here, he plays saxophone with the Townline jazz combo and continues his studies as a saxophonist, pianist, writer, arranger, and producer. Miguel has written, arranged, and performed songs for Townline and arranged vocal jazz charts for SWCC’s award-winning vocal jazz group First Take. In his first year of college, Miguel was recognized by SWCC as an outstanding student, and he continues his career as a performer while set to graduate in 2025.