Performer

Peyton has been studying classical alto saxophone for 12 years and made it a concentration of their Music Therapy degree. In their 2022 senior recital titled On the Cusp of 'It', Peyton performed Jeanine Rueff's Chanson et Passepied, Ryo Noda's Improvisation III, three movements from Erwin Dressel's Partita, and an arrangement of Claude Debussy's Arabesque I for soprano saxophone.

Though well-versed in alto saxophone for over a decade, Peyton did not begin exploring soprano saxophone until Fall 2019. Since joining the Mercyhurst University Saxophone Quartet, they have performed a variety of repertoire including Café St Germain by Toshio Mashima, Declamation and Dance by Everett Gates, and Fantasy on a Theme of Jupiter composed by Gustav Holst and arranged by Yasuhide Ito.

Originally self-taught, Peyton has played acoustic guitar for five years. After completing a guitar course for music therapists, they have begun teaching private guitar lessons for students of all ages and capabilities. Peyton particularly enjoys guitar in the folk, indie, alternative, and blues genres. Before COVID-19, you could find them playing guitar and singing at open mic nights in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Since obtaining an electric keyboard in 2014, Peyton has had an affinity for piano. It wasn't until Fall 2020 that they studied under Dr. Nathan Hess, the department chair and piano professor at Mercyhurst University. In the last year, Peyton began tutoring piano and delving into their personal improvisational style. When playing piano, they gravitate towards modal pieces reminiscent of video game soundtracks and impressionist ballads.