The Metropolitan Saxophone Quartet

Deanna Loertscher

alto saxophone

Deanna Loertscher, alto saxophone, holds degrees from Ithaca College (BM) and Penn State University (MM). Her teachers include Dr. David Stambler, Dr. Steven Mauk, and Dr. Connie Frigo. 

Engagements have brought her to diverse venues such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the Kimmel Center, Woodstock Playhouse, Hangar Theatre, Nyack Library Carnegie Room, and Columbia University, in addition to other venues in the New York metropolitan area.

Regionally, Deanna performs with the Ridgewood Concert Band, New York Wind Symphony, and the Ramsey Wind Symphony. Deanna has the privilege of working with the students at Dumont High School in northern New Jersey, where she teaches band.

Erik Donough

soprano saxophone

Erik holds his Bachelor of Music degree in Education from Ithaca College, and his Master of Arts in Performance degree from Montclair State University. His teachers include Dr. Paul Cohen, Dr. Steven Mauk, William Shadel, and Peter Potosky. Additionally, he has studied under Charles Pillow.

As a conductor and instrumentalist, Erik has performed in productions from the scholastic level to Broadway, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center, and has performed with local concert bands and orchestras. Currently, Erik teaches middle school band in New Jersey.

James Aslanian

baritone saxophone

James graduated from Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Performance with a concentration in Saxophone.

He has performed with the Ridgewood Concert Band, Rutgers Wind Ensemble, Rutger Saxophone Quartet, Rutgers Saxophone Ensemble, and Rutgers Symphony Band.

He is currently the band director at High Point Regional High School and keeps a private saxophone studio. He is an active composer and arranger.

John DiEgidio

tenor saxophone

John has been a featured soloist with the New Sussex Symphony, the New Philharmonic of New Jersey, the Rutgers Symphony Band, the Rutgers Saxophone Ensemble and The Hawthorne Symphony Orchestra.

A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, John received his B.M.E. from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, and is currently completing his M.M. at Montclair State University.

As Associate Director of Bands at Mount Olive High School, John directs the Marching Band, and Saxophone Ensemble, while team-teaching the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band with his co-worker, Associate Director of Bands, Mr. Darrell Hendricks.

John maintains an active private studio and directs the Woodwind Ensemble at The Delbarton School.​

Matt Olsson

drums & percussion

Matt Olsson, drums, is a singer/songwriter/drummer/guitarist from northern New Jersey. He has performed with the MSQ since 2014, and currently tours with multiple bands throughout the world.