Biography

To encounter Juani Palop Tecles is to meet an artist whose essence is inseparable from music. Her work as a saxophonist and teacher is shaped by her curiosity and an unwavering pursuit of artistic excellence.

Education

Born in Canals, Valencia, in 1982, Juani began her musical journey early, studying saxophone and cello in Spain. She earned her first Bachelor’s degree Cum Laude in saxophone at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Valencia and continued her education at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, with an Erasmus exchange period at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris with Claude Delangle.

She completed her saxophone Master’s degree cum laude in 2009 in the prestigious class of Arno Bornkamp in Amsterdam, earning a reputation as a great natural talent with enormous musical insight and stylistic understanding, highly effective technique, and deep artistic sensibility.

Outside of her studies, Juani connected with some of the most respected figures in the saxophone world, including Jean-Denis Michat, David Alonso, Pedro Iturralde, and recorder player Walter van Hauwe, whose influences continue to shape her playing today.

Artistic identity

Juani’s artistry goes beyond technical skill. Her expressive phrasing and wide range of colours and nuances make her stand out. Whether performing with ensembles like the Banda Municipal de Barcelona, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, or the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble, or engaging in intimate chamber music settings, she brings a natural musicality that draws listeners in. Colleagues speak of her ability to shape a phrase effortlessly and elevate the ensemble through her deep musical conviction.

Chamber music

Chamber music is at the heart of Juani’s artistic life.

She seized the opportunity when she was invited by the Berlage Saxophone Quartet to move back to the Netherlands and become a permanent member of the ensemble. She believes that playing in a saxophone quartet is one of the most fulfilling experiences for a classical saxophonist: a space where the depth of sound, colours, and musical textures never fail to amaze. With the Berlage Saxophone Quartet, Juani finds a rare sense of belonging: a place where she is constantly learning, staying sharp, and connected to the music and her quartet colleagues in the most organic way.

Alongside her work with the Berlage Saxophone Quartet, Juani is also part of Trio Abril, a chamber music project she co-founded in 2022 with Arno Bornkamp and pianist Frank van de Laar. Trio Abril was born out of a long-standing musical connection with Arno and a shared desire to explore saxophone and piano repertoire in a new way. The trio format allows for both soloistic expression and the intimacy of chamber music. With Frank, they found an outstanding and committed pianist with a like-minded musical vision. Together, they are committed to discovering new repertoire, creating arrangements, and commissioning works to expand the saxophone’s role in chamber music.

Teaching

Beyond performing, Juani has dedicated much of her career to education. Together with Javier Alloza, she founded the Alcosax International Saxophone Course and Festival, where, for 10 editions, she poured her heart into cultivating a space for young saxophonists to grow. They worked tirelessly to ensure that Alcosax became more than just a music course; it became a springboard for future musicians. Under their leadership, it developed into a vital platform for aspiring saxophonists, producing students who have gone on to study at some of Europe’s most esteemed conservatories, such as Maastricht, The Hague, and Amsterdam.

Her approach to teaching is rooted in empathy, clarity, and a deep understanding of the saxophone repertoire. From classical works to contemporary pieces, Juani has an encyclopedic knowledge of the literature, and her ability to interpret and teach these works makes her a sought-after educator. Her teaching goes beyond technique, aiming to ignite artistic potential in every student.

In her classroom, whether in the past at the Fontys Academy of the Arts in Tilburg and the Young Talent class of the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag, or now at the Berlage Academy, the Tilburg Sax Summit, Eibarsax Festival, her international masterclasses, or as a principal saxophone teacher at the ArtEZ Conservatorium in Zwolle, every student is seen not just as a musician but as an individual with unique strengths and needs.

Juani tailors her instruction to draw out the very best in each of them, helping them find their own voice and their own path in music. Many describe her not only as a teacher but as a mentor, someone who inspires and guides them toward their full potential.

Present

Through her performances, teaching, and collaborations, Juani Palop Tecles contributes to shaping the world of classical saxophone. She will continue her musical journey through constant exploration, rooted in a deep respect for the art and a genuine connection with those she shares it with.

Text by Claudia Hansen