Biography
Braxton has been playing music for over 10 years. His interest in music sparked when he was in 7th grade after he sat in with the school’s jazz band for the first time with his clarinet. He then went on to add saxophone, flute, and piano to his primary instrument rotation. Moving forward, his music education focused on jazz and contemporary music, studying under teachers including Ray Smith, longtime director of Synthesis at Bingham Young University, Jory Woodis of the Dukes of Dixieland, and Melanie Shore, founder of the Jazz Mentors Foundation. In his senior year, he won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award from American Fork High School. He also had the opportunity to perform internationally with several contemporary groups from Caleb Chapman’s Soundhouse. Places he has performed include the Puerto Vallarta Jazz Festival and the Sheridan Opera House at the Telluride Jazz Festival. He worked under the direction of industry professionals such as Branden Campbell of the Neon Trees. He also had the opportunity to perform with musicians from iconic acts including Tower of Power, the Neon Trees, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, and The Dave Matthews Band, among others.
Braxton also works as an instrument technician, having had the opportunity to work as an apprentice in instrument repair shops at Summerhays Music and Riverton Music in Utah. Some of his mentors included Steinway-approved technicians. He now works tuning pianos as an independent contractor for local music stores, as well as doing work for his own customers.
Braxton was accepted with a scholarship into the music program at Utah Valley University. Here he has had the opportunity to study an array of topics including instrumental performance, music composition, and production. In May 2024, Braxton was awarded a Certificate of Proficiency in Music Technology. He has studied with professors including session drummer Todd Sorenson, Mindy Gledhill, artist and CEO of Wonderwild Records; Dr. Charlie Han, Dr. Jeffery O’flynn, Jake Saslow, Rebecca Chapman, and Dr. David Baker, bassist of Hot House West. He will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music in December 2024.