Michael Leonard Keepe, D.M.A.

1025 Monte Vista Dr., Riverside, CA 92507

Phone: (520) 609-9409 ; Email: mike.keepe@gmail.com
Web: www.mikekeepe.com

November 5, 2016
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my pleasure to offer this letter of recommendation for Cesar Manjarrez. I first met Cesar
when he was a student at Rio Rico High School and knew him to be an extremely talented
student. I was then fortunate to be Cesars saxophone professor at the University of Arizona.
During his studies at UA he auditioned and won the tenor saxophone chair in my professional
saxophone quartet. I have the unique perspective of knowing Cesars talents as a student,
musician, teacher, and colleague. Please allow me to elaborate.
Cesar is easily one of the most gifted students and supportive people I have ever encountered. At
the University, he was principle chair in our top wind ensemble, and soprano chair in our awardwinning Catalina Saxophone Quartet. He was a finalist in our Presidents Concerto Competition
for 2 years, and was invited to perform both as a soloist and chamber musician for the North
American Saxophone Alliance Region 2 Conference. His Catalina Quartet won first alternate in
the State Music Teachers National Conference Chamber Music Competition. This was especially
impressive given that all other chamber groups were graduate student ensembles and Catalina
was all undergraduate.
His influence in the UA saxophone studio was one of encouragement and leading by example.
He made it his goal to create a wonderful support system with the members of our studio. His
genuine personality helped his peers to feel comfortable asking him for help in the practice
rooms for which I, and my students, were very grateful. My students saw how his hard work
payed off and this served to inspire them to strive and achieve their best. Cesar has a passion for
composition as well, taking private composition lessons and writing music for video game
companies in the US and abroad. In an age where many students are satisfied with just getting
by, Cesar strives for scholarship, self-enrichment, and creating opportunity in our field.
Cesars talents as an educator have been equally impressive. He conducted and arranged for
UAs Outreach Band, and has continued to maintain a private studio. In fact, one of his recent
high school students was offered a full tuition scholarship to the UA and the Berklee College of
Music in Boston. He now attends the UAs Fred Fox School of Music due very much to Cesars
inspiration.
Cesars talent and maturity lead him to join my professional saxophone quartet due to a vacancy
created when Dr. Kelland Thomas, former saxophone professor at UA, resigned from our group.
A nationally touring group, we have been quite impressed with his musicianship and maturity on
and off stage, as have our audiences. He continues to show his professionalism and talent at a
very high level.

Cesar is impressive person on many levels. I am sure that he will be an outstanding professional
as a musician and educator. I look forward to what his future will hold. It is a true pleasure to
offer this recommendation. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Keepe, D. M. A