DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

DUNCAN MCELMAN

Duncan McElman is Northgate High School’s newly appointed Instrumental Music Director. A Sacramento native and graduate of Rio Americano High School, McElman participated in the SFJAZZ High School All Stars, the Jazz Band of America, and the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. He earned his BM in Studio Music and Jazz with a focus in jazz saxophone from the highly acclaimed Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He also holds a Masters in Music performance from Sacramento State University as well as a Masters in Education from National University. From 2023 to 2026 McElman has served as a lecturer at Sacramento State University where he directed the award winning Three O’Clock Jazz Ensemble, the only “second band” to ever make the finals of the California Jazz Championship in the college division. Other courses taught by McElman included jazz combos, jazz history, and “SuperSax”.  McElman additionally served as interim director of bands at Sutter Middle School, teaching concert band, orchestra, and beginning band. He also has spent the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years as co-director of jazz ensembles at West Park High School in Roseville California, where he most recently co-directed the school’s top jazz ensemble to a first ever appearance in the finals of the Folsom Jazz Festival.  McElman’s extensive performing credits have seen him share the stage and studio with such jazz luminaries as Christian McBride, Maria Schneider, Joshua Redman, Dick Oatts, Jeff Hamilton, Dave Liebmann, the Mingus Big Band, and many more. His dynamic performances on the baritone saxophone have garnered him sundry awards and recognitions, most recently a Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award for outstanding graduate jazz soloist. Mr. McElman also serves as clinician coordinator for the Teagarden Jazz Festival, and is a sought after clinician and adjudicator for jazz festivals throughout northern and central California and Northern Nevada.