Sasha Williamson

Sasha Williamson is a rising senior at Ashland High School (AHS) in Ashland, Wisconsin, and has been the pianist in the AHS Jazz Band for three years, and was the pianist in the AHS Orchestra as a freshman. He has been a percussionist in the AHS Wind Ensemble and Concert and Marching bands as a sophomore and junior and the pianist in the Northland College Jazz Band as a high school junior. He also serves as an accompanist at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.

Sasha’s classical piano solo performance at the 2019 Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Music Festival earned an Exemplary Performance Award. He also auditioned for the WSMA State Honors Project Jazz Ensemble in Feb. 2020 and earned the pianist position. The ensemble, led by conductor Michael Dease, will practice online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a full in-person performance is scheduled for Oct. 30, 2020, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Sasha’s classical piano solo performance at the 2020 WSMA State Music Festival (held online due to the pandemic) earned him a 5.0/5.0 rating. Further results to be determined.

Teachers who have influenced Sasha include Eric Sorensen, Brett Hulmer, Chris Hulmer, Janice Nelson, Neil Paynter, and Eileen Meyer. He has also been fortunate to study under Ivan Konev (classical piano) and Chris White (jazz piano) through the Shell Lake Arts Center in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. Sasha’s greatest inspiration is Oscar Peterson. Other strong influences include Art Tatum, Dave Brubeck, and Vince Guaraldi.

When not at the piano, Sasha enjoys playing on the AHS tennis team and doing tae kwon do.