Austin ‘AJ’ Perry (b. 2000) is a true 21st century composer, full time student, bassoonist, amateur nature photographer, and avid roller coaster enthusiast. You can use any pronouns to refer to them. AJ is the bassoonist for the Easterlies, the University of Delaware fellowship quintet. He is inspired by the passage of time, the vastness of the West Texas landscape, and LGBTQ+ arts and culture. He has written for several groups across the US including the Amorsima Trio, the Aruna Quartet, and the Texas Tech Saxophone Ensemble. They have been commissioned by several artists inducing Christina Jennings, Nathan Mertens, and the Carmesi Saxophone Quartet. He has also had performances of his works across the United States, including at the Texas Music Educators Association 2022 Convention, the 2023 North American Saxophone Biennial Conference, as well as the 2024 Music Teacher National Association chamber contest. They have also performed on bassoon, contrabassoon, and heckelphone around the world in various professional symphonies, chamber groups, and student ensembles from the Roswell, Chicago, and New York, to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest.
Photo by Mekhi Tyree