Taki Salameh (he/they)

Researcher and Writer

Taki Salameh is a composer and bassoonist who aspires to connect people together through music. As a composer, Taki works closely with performers to write music not just for people, but with people. The collaborative aspect of his music shines through in his specialized writing for the people he’s composing for. As a bassoonist, Taki prioritizes performing works by underrepresented composers. He aims to one day help refocus bassoon pedagogy, centering works by a diverse range of composers. Taki’s commitment to equity has also led him to join the National Arts Diversity Integration Association (NADIA), where he works as a member of the research team. All of Taki’s efforts as a musician are focused towards bringing people from all backgrounds together through music.

Taki began his musical studies as a saxophonist. He enjoyed early success playing both classical music and jazz. He has played at the New World Center in Miami and the House of Blues in Chicago. He recently had the honor of performing a feature jazz chart, “Ms. Garvey Ms. Garvey,” on baritone saxophone with Michael Dease (trombone). Taki has performed with the Precipice Saxophone Quartet (2017-2019) as an extension of his deep love for chamber music. Through his work with Precipice, he earned second place honors at the Barnett Chamber Music Competition (2019) and was a semifinalist in both the M-Prize (2018) and Fischoff (2019) international chamber music competitions.

Since switching to bassoon, Taki has played at the Chicago Symphony Center and has participated in Curtis Summerfest’s Young Artist Summer Program (2020). He recently started the Voix du Vent Quintet at the Interlochen Arts Academy.

As a composer, Taki received a merit award in the 2021 YoungArts’ National Competition for classical composition.

Currently a junior in high school, Taki studies bassoon performance at the Interlochen Arts Academy under Dr. Eric Stomberg. Taki studies composition with Nick DiBerardino. Previously, Taki studied bassoon and classical saxophone at the Merit School of Music under bassoonist Dianne Ryan and saxophonist Bryan Polacek. He has studied classical saxophone at Interlochen under Dr. Matthew Schlomer and composition with Dr. Shawn Jaeger.