About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Yugen Saxophone Quartet are a Birmingham based ensemble, formed in November 2020 of a mixture of undergraduate and graduates from The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Since forming, Yugen have performed at a wide variety of functions across the UK, ranging from arts festivals, to weddings, to recitals and corporate events.
Current members are Ewan Wright on Soprano Saxophone, Dominic Cotta on Alto Saxophone, Emily Plumb on Tenor and Alicia Hillman on Baritone Saxophone. Yugen Saxophone Quartet are recent winners of the Andrew Downes Prize 2022 and the Sylvia Cleaver Prize 2021, showcasing works by Carl Florio, Phillip Glass, Andrew Downes and Guillermo Lago. Origins, Yugen's world-music inspired album was recently released in 2022 and has received high acclaim.
Yugen are four unique Saxophonists using their shared passion for chamber music to form an exciting and vibrant ensemble.
Meet The Members
Ewan Wright
Soprano
Originally from Carmarthen in West Wales, Ewan began playing the clarinet at age eight, before taking up the saxophone at fourteen. In 2013, Ewan moved to London and spent a year studying with Nathan Hassall, before beginning his undergraduate studies at Trinity Laban in 2014, studying with Melanie Henry and Gerard McChrystal. Ewan graduated in 2018, and became the first ever classical saxophone player to be nominated for Trinity Laban's prestigious Gold Medal award.
In 2019, Ewan began his postgraduate studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, studying with Naomi Sullivan, and graduated with distinction in 2021. During his studies, Ewan has been a regular participant in competitions, winning first prize in the Harold Clarke woodwind competition in 2017, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire saxophone prize in 2020.
In his work as both a soloist and a researcher, Ewan is particularly keen on studying and working with extended techniques, and regularly performs music by composers such as Christian Lauba, Colin Stetson, and Derek Brown.
Dominic Cotta
Alto
Dominic Cotta is an aspiring musician currently studying BMus Music Performance at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire under the tutelage of Naomi Sullivan and Andy Tweed.
As well as enjoying being a solo musician, Dominic feels particularly at home playing with ensembles. He has performed with many ensembles including the award-winning Yugen Saxophone Quartet, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Saxophone Ensemble, and Hertfordshire School's Symphony Orchestra ranging from venues such as Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to the Royal Albert Hall.
Alongside his music activities, Dominic enjoys going on walks and travelling.
Emily
Plumb
Tenor
Emily Plumb is a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist from Manchester and recently graduated from her undergraduate studies at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire under Naomi Sullivan. With a particular passion for chamber music, Emily has been part of a number of ensembles including jazz bands, concert bands, alongside theatre productions and in various quartets both prior to and during her studies at RBC. She has also been involved in a number of orchestral projects, most recently with the Symphony Orchestra at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm where she studied for a term with saxophonist Christer Johnsson through the Erasmus scheme. During her studies, Emily has followed and participated in masterclasses with renowned saxophonists such as Kyle Horch and Jonathan Radford. Following her undergraduate degree in 2023, Emily is hoping to study for a postgraduate, as well as gaining more experience with performing and teaching, both as a chamber musician and soloist.
Alicia Hillman
Baritone
Over the past decade, Alicia has been a prominent figure in the Birmingham music scene, establishing herself as an accomplished saxophonist. She graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2022, where she earned a Master of Instrumental Performance with Distinction. This accomplishment was preceded by the attainment of a first-class bachelor's degree from the same institution in 2020.
During her time at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Alicia had the privilege of studying under the guidance of renowned instructors such as Naomi Sullivan and Kyle Horch. Her passion for saxophone led her to receive invaluable mentorship from a diverse group of international performers, including Arno Bornkamp, Mariano Garcia, Jonathan Radford, and Masahito Sugihara. Additionally, she pursued further studies in the Netherlands under the esteemed Johan van der Linden.
Alicia's dedication to her craft extends to her love for chamber music. She takes great pleasure in collaborating with saxophonists of all ages and skill levels. Her involvement in the 2020 Saxology project, a community-driven initiative that organizes workshops and ensembles, showcases her commitment to nurturing musical talent. Furthermore, Alicia's contributions to the RBC Saxophone Octet at the World Saxophone Congress in 2018 and her work in commissioning new repertoire for the innovative Couple of Saxes Duet, alongside her Yugen colleague Ewan Wright, are noteworthy highlights.
In addition to her chamber music endeavors, Alicia's orchestral performances have garnered recognition. She had the honor of premiering Michael Wolter's Concerto for Nine Saxophones and Orchestra, contributing to the Sousa Recording Project, participating in WWI commemorations with the Coldstream Guards, collaborating with the Multi-Storey Orchestra, performing Rhapsody in Blue with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra, and playing with various RBC orchestras, including the Symphony, Wind, Alternative, and Repertoire Orchestras.
Alongside chamber music, Alicia is versatile soloist winning the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Saxophone Prize 2021. For her Master's research, Alicia delved into the world of music written for the Baritone Saxophone, with a particular focus on experimental works by composers like Jacob ter Veldhuis, Marc Mellits, and David Lang. Her journey has been further enriched by the support she received from the John Clemmence Trust, the UK Universal Music Sound Foundation Bursary, and her designation as a Help Musician Postgraduate Award Holder from 2020 to 2022.
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