Concerts & Events
SJSU Saxophone Day!
SJSU Sax Studio is hosting SAXOPHONE DAY with Special Guests from the world renowned Raschèr Saxophone Quartet and Jazz saxophonist Tony Peebles. Join us for a fun filled day of saxophone clinics, masterclasses, lessons and concerts! Lunch provided - open to saxophonists of all ages - FREE!
Soloist w/ UC Davis Wind Ensemble
Michael will be guest soloist with the UC Davis Wind Ensemble under the direction of Pete Nowlen performing “Eyes to Look Otherwise” by Juan Sebastian Cardona Ospina
Latinx Storytellers Project @ Onondaga Contemporary Music Festival - Syracuse, NY
Michael will present his Latinx Storytellers Program at the Onondaga Contemporary Music Festival at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY.
Latinx Storytellers Project @ Northeastern Illinois University
Michael performs works from his Latinx Storytellers Project at Northeastern Illinois University. Works by Caitlin Santos, Juan Sebastián Cardona Ospina, Luis Miguel Delgado Grande, Gabriel José Bolaños, Victor Ibarra and more!
Guest Artist Recital @ University of Illinois at Chicago
Michael joins Decho Ensemble for an evening of New Music at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
To Kalon Club
To Kalon “Highest Beatuy“ Club of San Jose will host an afternoon of soprano saxophone chamber music. Michael will be joined by his students in the ECHO QUARTET.
Music at Noon @ Santa Clara Unversity
The MANA Quartet performs on the Music at Noon Series at Santa Clara University
The MANA Saxophone Institute 2025
The MANA Quartet holds their 16th Annual Mana Saxophone Institute at San Jose State University!
Saxophonists of all ages from all over the US and abroad gather to perform chamber music, saxophone orchestra repertoire and take part in masterclasses and seminars with members of the critically acclaimed MANA Quartet
The MANA Quartet Opening Concert
The MANA Quartet performs the Opening Night Recital of the 16th Annual MANA Saxophone Institute with works by Dankner, Broder and Wuorinen!
MANA Chamber Players
The MANA Chamber players perform a variety of chamber music for saxophone and piano! Including the American premiere of a work by Dimitri Terzakis and works by Singelee, Poulenc, Bach, and more!
MSI Chamber Recital
An evening of chamber music presented by the participants of MSI 2025
MSI Outreach Concert #1
The MANA Saxophone Institute Performs a lunchtime concert at San Pedro Square - free and open to the public!
MSI Closing Concert
The MSI Saxophone Orchestra performs the final Institute Concert
Details TBD
Calliope East Bay Music & Arts
The MANA Quartet performs a chamber recital at the Calliope East Bay Series in Berkeley California
Music @ 4 Series
The MANA Quartet returns to Portolla Vally to perform on the Music @ 4 series at the Sequioas
Irvine Community College
SJSU Auditions followed by Guest Clinic
“How to take an Audition”
Soloist w/ the San Jose Chamber Orchestra
Michael will appear as soloist with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Maestra Barbara Day Turner performing Danzón No. 6 for Soprano Saxophone and Orchestra by Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez.
SJSU Faculty Recital w/ Catalina Barraza
SJSU violin professor Catalina Barraza and Michael will perform a faculty chamber concert featuring new works for violin and soprano saxophone. Additionally Michael will perform the World Premiere of a new work for soprano saxophone and piano by Marc Mellits.
Soloist w/ Syracuse University Wind Ensemble
Michael will perform the World Premiere of Eyes to Look Otherwise with the Syracuse University Wind Ensemble.
Eyes to Look Otherwise by Juan Sebastián Cardona Ospina is a new concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Wind Ensemble dedicated to Michael and commissioned by the Latinx Storytellers Project.
Symphony San Jose
“The Classics” Michael will play principal saxophone for Bolero, American in Paris and Rhapsody in Blue.
Symphony San Jose
“The Classics” Michael will be principal saxophonist for Bolero, American in Paris, Rhapsody in Blue, and Copland Piano Concerto!
Soloist w/ the San Francisco Pride Concert Band
Michael will appear as Soloist with the San Francisco Pride Concert Band at Herbst Theater for the premiere/ preview concert of a new concerto by Juan Sebastian Cardona Ospina dedicated to Michael as part of the Latinx Storytellers Project.
Eyes to Look Otherwise is a three movement concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Wind Ensemble based on three paintings by SF based LGBTQ visual artist Tino Rodriguez.
Soloist with the Santa Cruz Symphony - Santa Cruz, CA
Michael performs John William’s ESCAPADES from the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can with the Santa Cruz Symphony
“John Williams needs no introduction as a film composer, but he has also written numerous concert pieces. Escapades straddles both worlds: it is a concert work derived from the score to Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film Catch Me If You Can. Williams described it as an impressionistic memoir of the progressive jazz movement that was popular in the 1960s.”
Soloist with the Redwood Symphony - Redwood City, CA
Michael performs John William’s ESCAPADES from the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can with the Redwood Symphony
“John Williams needs no introduction as a film composer, but he has also written numerous concert pieces. Escapades straddles both worlds: it is a concert work derived from the score to Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film Catch Me If You Can. Williams described it as an impressionistic memoir of the progressive jazz movement that was popular in the 1960s.”
MANA Quartet Outreach Concerts
MANA Quartet will be visiting Bay Area High Schools and Middles Schools for educational outreaches
Rotunda Concert
The Rotunda Concert is a surround sound / visual experience with world premiere performances of new electro-acoustic music composed by Christopher Luna-Mega and Pablo Furman. The concert will take place in the San José City Hall Rotunda.
MANA Quartet Outreach Concerts
MANA Quartet will be performing outreach concerts and school visits in the Palo Alto School Districts.
Opera Parallèlle "Birds & Balls"
Vinkensport, or The Finch Opera
Composer David T. Little
Librettist Royce Vavrek
Balls
Composer Laura Karpman
Librettist Gail Collins
“Competition abounds in this World Premiere double bill, where comedy takes to the court in a theatrical spectacle culminating in the 1973 ‘Battle of the Sexes!”
April 5-7, 2024
SFJAZZ Miner Auditorium
Residency @ Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico - San Juan, Puerto Rico
Michael will have a residency at the Conservatory of Music in San Juan, Puerto Rico from March 2-4
There will be Masterclasses and a Guest Artist Recital featuring works by Bach, Santos, Hall, Delgado-Grande, Theisen and more!
Soloist with the SJSU Symphonic Band
Michael will appear as guest soloist with the SJSU Symphonic Band performing Astor Piazzolla’s “Invierno Porteño” for Soprano Saxophone and Concert Band!
MANA performs at Music @4 Series
MANA returns to Music @4 in Portola Valley with a program inspired by California landscapes!
Soloist w/ the Echo Chamber Orchestra
The MANA Quartet performs the Phillip Glass Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Daniel Canosa and the Echo Chamber Orchestra
Residency @ The 46th Annual Festival of New American Music - Sacramento, CA
Michael will return to the Festival of New American Music hosted by Sacramento State for an evening concert featuring his Latinx Storytellers Program! Saxophone Masterclass and panel discussion on new music!
Soloist with Pacific Chamber Orchestra
Hernandez will be a featured soloist on J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 with the Pacific Chamber Orchestra
Soloist with the Pacific Chamber Orchestra
Hernandez will be featured soloist on J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 with the Pacific Chamber Orchestra
Modesto Symphony
Michael joins the Modesto Symphony for their Picnic at the Pops Concert at the Gallo Winery.
CBDA “Super Saturday” Clinic/Masterclass
Diablo Valley College will host the first annual CBDA Super Saturday! High School and Jr. High students from up and down the state of California are invited to attend and get a leg up on their All-State Auditions! Michael will be working with young saxophonists in a masterclass setting to help them prepare their audition excerpts - the day will feature an exploration into other saxophone related topics as well!
Chamber Music Silicon Valley Music Festival
Chamber Music Silicon Valley Music Festival
The Brandenburgs!
Fess Parker Theater at Santa Clara University
BalatonSax 2023 International Saxophone Academy - Balatonfüred, Hungary
Michael will join the faculty of the 7th Annual BalatonSax International Saxophone Academy in Balatonfüred, Hungary.
Spend 6 days in the Hungarian countryside, close to Balaton in the heart of Hungary. Surround yourself by renowned professors and the inherent inspiration of nature. Explore new aspects in saxophone and clarinet playing.
The academy is comprised of master classes, lectures from technique to stage fright, evaluating each individual’s strengths and weaknesses, audiovisual workshops about great artists, about improvisation.
Our goal is to go beyond the normal saxophone and clarinet lessons. We wish to introduce new concepts, and inspire students to find new way in everyday practicing and performing.
We combine serious studies with holiday experience
Summer Winds Chamber Music Institute - San Jose, CA
Michael will join the faculty of the first annual Summer Winds Chamber Music Institute held at San Jose State University.
Saxophonists will enjoy working one on one with Dr. Hernandez in private lessons, masterclasses, chamber music coachings including saxophone quartets, trios, duos, and all participants will take part in the saxophone orchestra culminating in a final concert on Friday.
Soloist with the Golden Gate Park Band - San Francisco, CA
Michael performs Maurice Whitney’s Adagio & Samba with San Francisco’s Historic Golden Gate Park Band for their LGBTQ+ Pride Concert!
Latinx Storytellers @ Gowanda HS - Gowanda, NY
Michael performs a Latinx Storytellers presentation at Gowanda High School.
Soloist with the Gowanda Wind Ensemble - Gowanda, NY
Outreach Residency at Gowanda Central Schools and performance of Arturo Marquez’s Danzón No. 6 with Wind Ensemble.
Downtown Soundscapes -San Jose, CA
Head to downtown San Jose at the Paseo de San Antonio outside of the Hammer Theater to take part in an immersive musical experience with Electroacoustic soundscapes captured in and around our urban environment! Led by composer, Christopher Luna-Mega featuring:
Michael Hernandez - soprano saxophone
Ray Furuta - flute
Brian Ciach - live electronics
Thomas Langan - double bass