Youth Board

Liam McQuade

Liam is a rising sophomore at Stony Brook University, majoring in both music performance and economics. Primarily a baritone saxophonist, his greatest inspirations include Joe Temperley, Patrick Bartley, and Cannonball Adderley. Liam is an intern at The Jazz Loft, and has been affiliated with the Loft and the Loft School of Jazz since 2021. In 2024, Liam performed with the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project (WYWOP), an international wind band performing with the Mid Europe Festival in Austria, with musicians from around the world.

Liam has arranged for wind bands and string orchestra performances, and has conducted his own composition for concert band. In the future, he intends to become a professor, while still performing and composing.

Ben Friedenberg

Ben is a Freshman at SUNY Purchase who plays saxophone. He is inspired by the people around him, such as his peers and parents who made music an important part of his life since the drive to and from preschool. Yet more directly, Ben draws immense inspiration from the dead and living greats of Black American Music.

Ben plans to continue his studies at the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase, just like his mentors did before him. Additionally, Ben will continue to lead his band regularly and delve into the music scene around him.

A unique fact about Ben is that he has played coast to coast across the U.S.

Henry Broidy

Henry is a Senior in high school and plays alto and tenor saxophone.

I’ve been inspired by the freedom and complexity of jazz. My jazz journey started at The Jazz Loft when I first enrolled in the pre-college program when I was in 8th grade.

I want to play more professionally with small jazz groups in college. I’m interested in continuing to learn more about music. Music is the foundation, but the people I meet are the best part. I have my own quartet outside of school and extracurriculars. I enjoy leading and being part of a team.

Sofia Nosarieva

Hello! My name is Sofia Nosarieva, and I am an incoming senior at East Meadow High School. I play saxophone and participate in Jazz Ensemble, the Long Island Youth Orchestra, Marching Band, Pit Orchestra, and Steel Pan Ensemble. I have also performed in All-County and NYSBDA ensembles. My largest motivation is to one day become a music educator. My role models in jazz are Sonny Rollins and Chris Potter.

Outside of music, I enjoy traveling, dancing salsa and bachata, and reading. A fun fact about me is that I speak three languages fluently.