Olivia Phaneuf

Eyelid (2018) by Cassie Wieland (b.1994)
Eyelid for solo alto saxophone is a part of ANATOMY, a series of solos for various instruments that are all based on different parts of the human body. Each solo focuses on how characteristics of a body part, however subtle or minute, can hold a story in their details.

“Eyelid” was premiered at Illinois State University in April 2018.

The Path Least Traveled (2026) by Morgan Kelly Moss (b. 2000)

Morgan Kelly Moss’s The Path Least Traveled draws inspiration from Robert Frost’s iconic poem "The Road Not Taken," portraying the nonlinear journey of life through moments of choice, struggle, and resilience. Its interplay between saxophone and electronics creates a path from vulnerability to triumph, embodying perseverance, hope, and personal growth.

Graven Image (2025) by Jackson Joyce (b. 2005)
After Ten Commandments posters were donated by the
Christian organization Counteract USA, they were posted in
every building on campus at the University of Arkansas, in
accordance with Act 573, passed by the state legislature earlier
in 2025. In the same year, Samantha Fulnecki complained to
the University of Oklahoma president after receiving a zero on
a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible. Her teaching
assistant, Mel Curth, was accused of restricting her religious
freedom and was placed on leave.
GRAVEN IMAGE is a musical exhibition of testimonies
from Christian and non-Christian students regarding the public
endorsement of religion. It seeks to expose the ignorance
reflected in the tolerance for the state-sanctioned display of the
Ten Commandments. It does not intend to downplay any
religious practice, but invites listeners to consider the true
intentions of Act 573: the Constitutional rights guaranteed to all
people are now under threat.
This piece uses the Expressway typeface originally used
in the Ten Commandments posters. Recordings of Samantha
Fulnecki, George Carlin, and Bishop Mariann Budde appear
throughout the fixed media, as well as interviews with several
Arkansas students.

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Olivia Phaneuf (she/her) is a saxophonist and arts administrator based in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Saxophone at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
Olivia maintains an active performing career as a soloist and chamber musician. Recent highlights include serving as a Bang on a Can Performance Fellow at the 2025 LOUD Weekend, performing with her saxophone quartet Zuma, and appearing as a guest artist at the University of Arkansas. She has performed at festivals and conferences nationwide, including the International Saxophone Symposium, SHE: Festival of Women in Music, the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, and TMEA.
Curiosity and collaboration guide Olivia’s approach to performance. She seeks out music that tells stories and amplifies new voices, often featuring works by women, queer, and underrepresented composers. She is passionate about expanding the saxophone repertoire through collaborations with living composers and inclusive programming that sparks conversation and connection.