Ocean Saxophone Quartet
About the Musicians
​Justinn Lu - Soprano Saxophone
Justinn Lu is a Filipino-Australian saxophonist studying a Masters of Music Research (Performance) at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Justinn has been a regular performer with the university since 2019 as a soloist and chamber musician, as well as with their Wind Symphony and Saxophone Ensemble.
As an active academic researcher in concert curation and design, Justinn is also the founder of BPM Studios: a music studio that aims to design projects for instrumental musicians that focus on personal storytelling and representation.
​Qi (Iris) Li - Alto Saxophone
Qi (Iris) Li, a Chinese-born saxophonist, completed her Masters of Music Studies (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium. Beginning clarinet at six, she later studied saxophone with Yang Can and Yang Guang in Beijing, and under Dr. Peter Leung in Sydney. Qi earned her Bachelor's degrees at the Sydney and Melbourne Conservatoriums, delving into Chinese Traditional Music in Saxophone Works for her Honours thesis. A seasoned soloist, Qi performed globally, winning second prize at the 21st Century Talents Concerto Competition in 2021. Currently, she conducts the Traveller recital series, blending solo and chamber performances with the Ocean Saxophone Quartet, aiming to unite diverse audiences worldwide.
Chen-Yu (Jenny) Yang - Tenor Saxophone
Chen-Yu (Jenny) Yang, a Taiwanese-Australian saxophonist, pursues her Bachelor of Music Honours (Performance) at the Melbourne Conservatorium. Beginning piano at seven, she later embraced the saxophone at twelve under Yu-Wen Wang in Taiwan. After moving to Australia in 2016, she continued her studies at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, learning from Ian Godfrey and Ian Whitehurst (saxophone) and Caroline Almonte, Dr. Julie Haskell, and Anne Lewitzka (piano). Joining the Melbourne Conservatorium in 2020, under Dr. Joseph Lallo and Olga Kharitonova, she excelled in both instruments. With over a decade of performance experience, Chen-Yu shines in chamber music and orchestral settings. Her emotional connection to music is evident in her saxophone renditions of Romantic works, complemented by a love for pop-ballads. Recently, she secured 3rd prize at Melbourne’s Clasax Yamaha Competition in 2021 and 2022. As a member of the Ocean Quartet, Chen-Yu aims to infuse her diverse musical interests into their collective voice. Her passion lies in continually exploring various musical styles, a driving force that shapes her evolving journey as a musician.
Jason Ji - Baritone Saxophone
Jason Ji, a Chinese-Australian saxophonist in Melbourne, pursues his Bachelor of Music Honours at the Melbourne Conservatorium. Starting saxophone at twelve, his passion evolved through tertiary studies with Dr. Joseph Lallo and Martin Hemingway. Jason excels in chamber music, participating in groups such as Odyssey Saxes, 4AM Saxophone Quartet, and the Ocean Saxophone Quartet. His ensembles have performed internationally, including the Asia Pacific Saxophone Academy in Bangkok (2019) and the Singapore Saxophone Symposium (2019). He regularly performs with the Melbourne Conservatorium’s Concert Band, Saxophone Ensemble, and the Australian New Goldberg Orchestra. Rooted in his Beijing heritage, Jason seeks to explore Chinese identity through music, aiming to bring it, along with classical music, to diverse audiences.