Zed is a visionary chamber ensemble dedicated to establishing the saxophone quartet as a pillar of chamber music. Through bold interpretations of traditional and contemporary repertoire, the commissioning of new works by underrepresented composers, and a strong commitment to educational and community engagement, Zed aims to inspire and connect with all audiences.

Founded at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2023, Zed has garnered national acclaim. Zed has earned First Prize & Audience Choice at the 2025 Plowman Chamber Music Competition, First Prize at the 2025 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Chamber Music Competition, and First Prize at the 2025 American Virtuoso National Music Competition. In their first season, Zed was awarded Second Prize at the 2024 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Second Prize at the 2024 NOLA Chamber Fest Emerging Ensemble Competition, and finalist recognition at the 2024 Coltman Chamber Music Competition. Zed was also honored as a semifinalist in the 2025 Walter W. Naumburg Chamber Music Competition, making history as one of the first saxophone quartets to earn this distinction. Most recently, Zed was selected to participate in the Osaka International Chamber Music Festa, where they competed and performed at the Mie Center for the Arts in Tsu, Mie Prefecture, as well as Izumi Hall in Osaka, Japan.

Zed has been featured on numerous concert series, including the Musical Excursions Series, the New Orleans Friends of Music chamber music series, the KMFA Midday Concert Series, and the Tetractys “Here Be Monsters” Festival. Additionally, Zed has given featured performances at the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, the Chamber Music America National Conference, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and the Texas Music Teachers Association Conference. In 2024, they appeared as soloists with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble in the consortium premiere of Viet Cuong’s Second Nature.

Dedicated to educational and community engagement, Zed has presented recitals and masterclasses at acclaimed universities such as Louisiana State University, Baylor University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Texas Woman’s University, among others. They are also current partners with the non-profit organization Austin Soundwaves, which provides accessible performances and workshops for students of all ages.

Zed was named a 2024–2025 Rainwater Grant recipient, supporting the creation of a high-quality recording of Ofrenda for a Friend (2026) by award-winning composer Ivan Trevino, a new saxophone quartet written for Zed. In alignment with their commitment to expanding the repertoire, the ensemble has commissioned and premiered works by multiple underrepresented composers, including Viet Cuong, JoAnne Harris, and Minoo Dixon, with upcoming commissions by Kian Ravaei, among others.

Based in Austin, Texas, the members of Zed are Connor O’Toole on soprano saxophone, Jacob Feldman on alto saxophone, Marina Sakellakis on tenor saxophone, and David Bennette on baritone saxophone.

Connor O’Toole (he/him) is an acclaimed performer and educator. He has performed throughout the country as well as Europe. He was a prize winner at the 2019 Music Teachers National Association Young Artists Competition and has performed as a featured artist with the University of Michigan Symphony Band. In 2018, he received the Hans Schaeuble Stiftung Award at the Arosa Music Academy and was a featured artist in the 2019 Arosa Klassic Festival. O’Toole is additionally a decorated chamber musician. As a member of Zed, he has been awarded Silver in The Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the NOLA Chamber Festival. He is also a member of the Apophis Reeds, who took the Gold Medal at the Coltman Chamber Music Competition. Other notable appearances with additional groups include the live rounds of the Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition and the Dale and Nancy Briggs Chamber Music Competition. As an educator, O’Toole has been a Teaching Assistant for the University of Texas at Austin, teaching and conducting the Non-Major Saxophone Ensemble. Most recently, He has presented masterclasses at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Interlochen Arts Academy, and currently maintains a private lesson studio in Austin, Texas. Connor has degrees from The University of Michigan, Royal Northern College of Music, and The University of Texas, Austin. He was a student of Timothy McAllister, Rob Buckland, and Stephen Page respectively.

Jacob Feldman (he/him) is a performer, educator, and chamber musician based in Austin, Texas. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Saxophone Literature and Pedagogy at The University of Texas at Austin with Dr. Stephen Page, where he serves as an Academic Assistant. As he works toward his degree, he teaches private saxophone and music theory lessons in the Austin area. As a soloist, Jacob was recently named the winner of The University of Texas at Austin Concerto Competition and will perform his arrangement of Nigel Westlake’s Spirit of the Wild with the UT Symphony Orchestra. He was awarded the Gold Medal at the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, received Honorable Mention at the Texas MTNA Young Artists Solo Competition, and was a Semifinalist in the NASA Biennial Conference Solo Competition. Jacob regularly performs with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble, with whom he recently traveled to New York City to play at Carnegie Hall. During their 2024 season, he was a featured concerto soloist for the consortium premiere of Viet Cuong’s Second Nature. Jacob is the alto saxophonist of his saxophone quartet, Zed, who recently won First Prize at both the Plowman Chamber Music Competition and MTNA Chamber Music Competitions, a silver medal at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, Second Prize at the NOLA Chamber Fest Competition, and First Prize at the American Virtuoso International Music Competition, and were finalists in the Coltman Chamber Music Competition. Zed has given featured performances at the Chamber Music America Conference, the International Saxophone Symposium, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference. Active as both performers and educators, they have given masterclasses and recitals at Louisiana State University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Texas A&M International University. He earned his Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Saxophone Performance from Michigan State University, where he studied with Professor Joseph Lulloff.

Marina Sakellakis (she/her) is a multi-faceted performer, educator, and advocate for the arts based in Austin, Texas. She currently serves as Adjunct Faculty at San Antonio College and at Northwest Vista College, where she teaches all woodwind instruments, and as the Saxophone Teaching Assistant at the University of Texas at Austin. As she works towards her doctoral degree, she teaches private lessons, applied methods courses, and leads the University Saxophone Ensemble. Marina is a founding member and the tenor saxophonist of her saxophone quartet, Zed, who recently won a silver medal at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, Second Prize at the NOLA Chamber Fest Competition, and First Prize at the American Virtuoso International Music Competition. They were also recognized as finalists in the Coltman Chamber Music Competition and the MTNA National Competition. Zed has given featured performances at the Chamber Music America Conference, the International Saxophone Symposium, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference. Active as both performers and educators, they have given masterclasses and recitals at Louisiana State University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Texas A&M International University. Marina is an active performing and recording musician, and regularly plays with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble, having recently travelled to New York City to play at Carnegie Hall. During their 2024 season, she was a featured concerto soloist for the consortium premiere of Viet Cuong’s Second Nature. As a multi-instrumentalist, she has performed in pit orchestras for musical theatre companies such as Zilker Theatre Productions, the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Department, and the Heller Awards for Young Artists. Marina made her orchestral debut with the Round Top Festival Orchestra, playing Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances. She has been invited to play in Portugal, Switzerland, and England for various new music festivals and concerts. Committed to equity and accessibility in the arts, Marina works with nonprofit organizations Austin Classical Guitar and Austin Soundwaves. With Austin Classical Guitar, she works in Music & Healing, an initiative that provides uplifting musical experiences to people who have experienced significant trauma. With Austin Soundwaves, she teaches woodwind instruments and supports local Austin music education programs. She was named a Firebird Fellow through the Academy for Impact through Music, where she is currently working with a global cohort to research music education for positive social change. She has given presentations on music and community engagement at multiple conferences, including the International Saxophone Symposium and the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference. She earned her Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied with Dr Stephen Page, and received her Bachelor of Music degree in Multiple Woodwind Performance and a minor in Performing Arts Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Michigan, where she studied with Dr Timothy McAllister.

David Bennette is a saxophonist, educator, and chamber musician currently based in Evanston, Illinois, where he is pursuing a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music under the mentorship of Taimur Sullivan. Originally from Texas, Bennette recently completed his Bachelor of Music Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. During his undergraduate studies, he was a member of the acclaimed University of Texas Wind Ensemble, where he was featured as a soloist in the consortium premiere of Second Nature by Viet Cuong with Zed. He also travelled with the ensemble to Carnegie Hall as part of the ensemble’s 50th anniversary celebration. Bennette has also made appearances with the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, serving as the tenor saxophone soloist on the world premiere of the orchestral version of Omar Thomas’ Come Sunday. Bennette is the baritone saxophonist of Zed, an Austin-based saxophone quartet he co-founded in 2023. The group quickly gained national attention, winning First Prize at the 2025 MTNA Chamber Music Competition and Plowman Chamber Music Competition, as well as silver medals at both the 2024 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and the 2024 NOLA Chamber Fest. The quartet has performed at prestigious events such as the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, Chamber Music America Conference, and the Texas Music Educators Association Convention. Bennette also serves as the 2025–2026 Administrative Intern for ~Nois, a Chicago-based saxophone quartet. As both a soloist and chamber musician, Bennette has received national recognition, earning First Prize in the 2026 Vandoren Emerging Artists' Competition and Third Prize in the 2026 North American Saxophone Alliance Collegiate Solo Competition. In addition to performing, Bennette is deeply committed to music education and community outreach. With Zed, he has led residencies and masterclasses at institutions including Baylor University, Louisiana State University, and UT San Antonio. As an educator, he has served on faculty at the Young Saxophonist’s Institute in Dallas and worked as a marching technician with the L.V. Berkner High School Band in Richardson, Texas. In 2026, Bennette will join award-winning Grammy Ensemble Alarm Will Sound at the TIME:SPANS Festival in New York, one of the country's premier festivals dedicated to contemporary music. Bennette has performed in masterclasses for renowned saxophonists such as Joseph Lulloff, John Nichol, Matthew Younglove, Christopher Creviston, SFC Matt Evans, and SSG Chance Stine. His primary teachers include Taimur Sullivan, Dr. Stephen Page, Dr. Calvin Wong, and Roy Allen.