About Us
PULSE is an award-winning undergraduate saxophone quartet that started at Michigan State University while studying under Professor Joseph Lulloff. Their mission is to deliver a diverse range of repertoire that will engage and inspire any given audience while breaking down the proverbial barrier between the audience and the performer.
In April of 2024 PULSE traveled to Easton, MD to compete in the Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition and came away with the Silver Prize as well as the Audience Choice Award. At the end of April, PULSE competed in the Glass City Chamber Music Competition held at the University of Toledo in Ohio and won the 1st Place Prize for the Senior Division.
In 2023 PULSE advanced to the quarterfinal round at the 50th Annual Fischoff National Chamber Competition. PULSE also placed 1st in the Performing Artist Division of the NOLA Chamber Fest Competition in March of 2023.
PULSE won Second Prize at the 2022 Barbara Wagner Chamber Music Competition and advanced as finalists in the 2022 Coltman Chamber Music Competition. They were also selected to compete as finalists in the 2022 North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Quartet Competition. In addition to their competition endeavors, the group was invited to perform at the 2022 Navy International Saxophone Symposium and are artists in residence for the Sound Garden Project through Interlochen Public Radio this summer.
The ensemble has played for esteemed musicians such as Brandford Marsalis, Christopher Creviston, h2 Quartet, members of Eighth Blackbird, Stacy Garrop, and Taimur Sullivan. All members of the quartet value the kind of brotherhood and camaraderie that blossoms while playing in a chamber group.
Zachary Costello - Soprano
Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Zachary Costello is a saxophonist and artist who attends Michigan State University to study classical saxophone, where he studies under Professor Joseph Lulloff. Zachary also plays the soprano saxophone in his quartet, PULSE, which has been named as an Artist in Residence for the summer at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Zachary was recently selected as a finalist in the 2022 North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Collegiate Solo Competition, as well as a finalist in the NASA Quartet Competition with his saxophone quartet, PULSE. In his free time, you can find Zachary rock climbing, surfing, or wandering somewhere outdoors.
Director of Finance & Networking:
In charge of anything financial. Sends invoices and handles the reception and equal distribution of all income acquired by PULSE. Networks and is in charge of booking gigs and coordinating events.
Spencer Cox - Alto
Spencer Cox is a saxophonist from Memphis, Tennessee. He is currently studying saxophone performance with a minor in jazz studies at Michigan State University with Professor Joseph Lulloff. Spencer holds the alto chair in PULSE, an international award-winning saxophone quartet. Along with their recent work with Interlochen Public Radio and the Sound Garden project, PULSE recently won 1st prize at the Glass City Chamber Music Competition, as well as 2nd prize at the Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition. Spencer has also competed in various national competitions, winning 2nd prize at the 2021 VSO Young Artists Competition. He has also performed in masterclasses for artists such as Taimur Sullivan, Nicki Roman, Nathan Mertens, Kenta Saito, Otis Murphy, and ~Nois. When he is not making music, Spencer enjoys spending time with his family and their two cats, as well as reading a book or watching a movie in his recliner.
Director of Operations:
Responsible for organizing documents, repertoire, attire and promotional materials. The director of operations keeps things running smoothly and makes sure that the quartet has the necessary materials for success.
Owen Robinson - Tenor
Owen Robinson holds a Bachelor of Music from Michigan State University where he studied under renowned saxophonist Joseph Lulloff. He is currently pursuing two masters degrees in Jazz and Classical saxophone at Florida State University as a Graduate Assistant. Owen currently studies under David Detweiler and Geoffrey Deibel. Owen is the tenor chair of the award-winning PULSE Saxophone Quartet, and plays tenor saxophone in Florida State University’s Jazz Ensemble 1. Outside of music, Owen enjoys fishing, spending time with friends and watching television. He has a Regent Parrot named Roxy, and has been recently getting back into the pool to swim laps.
Director of Marketing & Public Relations:
Responsible for community engagement through means of social media and marketing. Is in charge of all social media engagement and content creation among all platforms. Editor of ensemble photos, videos, website, and social media. Supervises promotional material including posters and business cards.
Michael Ethier - Bari
Michael Ethier is a musician currently pursuing Saxophone Performance at Michigan State University. He also holds the baritone chair of PULSE, an award-winning saxophone quartet at MSU. In recent years, Michael was a guest soloist with the U.S. Army Field Band at the 2021 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic as a result of being named the winner of the 2019 John Philip Sousa Foundation Young Artist Solo Competition. In addition, he has performed for numerous esteemed pedagogues such as Branford Marsalis, Taimur Sullivan, Christopher Creviston, Chien-Kwan Lin, Connie Frigo, h2 Quartet, Henning Schroder, and members of Eighth Blackbird. Michael’s primary teachers are Joseph Lulloff and Kenneth Radnofsky. Besides playing the saxophone, you could find Michael at the gym lifting some light weight or watching his favorite Boston sports team win yet another world championship.
Executive Director:
Responsible for keeping the group in line with their values and mission. This involves assisting other members with fulfilling their roles and maintaining order within the ensemble, including creating rehearsal schedules and constantly raising the expectations for the quartet.