MEMBER BIOS
Bill Wilson
Soprano Saxophone
A product of music education in public schools and parental dollars that funded early musical mentorship, Bill began his life-long musical journey at age eleven. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, by the age of seventeen he was the first saxophonist to be awarded first prizes in both the Seattle and Oregon Symphony’s Young Artist competitions resulting in concerto performances with those orchestras. Following that period of time, Bill moved to Southern California where he earned undergraduate and graduate music performance degrees from CSUN and the USC Thornton School of Music respectively. A unique expat opportunity to live and perform in Japan followed, where Bill led various chamber ensembles in daily performances for three years. Upon returning to the U.S. Bill performed with many swing bands in Southern California and through these opportunities, he has performed at major venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and many more. In 2006 Bill completed an MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and has enjoyed applying business principles he learned there to create performance opportunities.
Sean Stackpoole
Alto Saxophone
Sean released his own solo CD of traditional jazz entitled "What's New" and has also authored the saxophone method book "Saxophone Basix". In addition to performing with COASQ, he also performs as a flautist with the Avenel Chamber Players and the Santa Monica Symphony. Sean has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival and toured Japan. He holds an undergraduate degree in Saxophone performance from Cal State University Northridge.
Cynthia Swanson
Tenor Saxophone
Cynthia is a professional musician and educator in the Southern California area. She has been a Yamaha performing artist since 1990. She plays woodwinds in pit orchestras around Southern California. Cynthia performed in various musical roles at Disneyland for nearly 16 years. She has also performed with the Los Angeles Classical Ballet Orchestra, the Golden State Pops Orchestra, the Vietnamese American Philharmonic, the Hollywood Symphony and the Santa Monica Symphony and with swing bands as well. She has backed up the Crew Cuts, the Chordettes and the Platters, and was chosen by Columbia Artists to perform in a Nationwide commemorative tour celebrating the Centennial of the music of Hoagy Carmichael. Cynthia received her undergraduate degree in Saxophone Performance from Cal State Long Beach.
Matt Germaine
Baritone Saxophone
Matt maintains a busy schedule of musical commitments. He has performed with the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra and is a first call performer with the Dean Mora Swing Orchestra as well as playing woodwinds in numerous pit orchestras in the Southern California area. He has performed at such venerable venues as Lincoln Center, The Hollywood Bowl, The Alex Theater and the Casino Ballroom on Catalina Island. He has backed up some of music's greatest artists such as Tony Bennett, Cab Calloway, Celia Cruz, Diane Schuur, Michael Feinstein and the Mills Brothers. He received his undergraduate degree from Cal State Northridge in Saxophone Performance.