About

Kendra Martinussen (she/her) is a Métis contemporary saxophonist specializing in jazz, blues, rock, and other popular music genres. Kendra holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Brandon University specializing in Instrumental Music Education and Jazz Saxophone Studies. Kendra is currently based in Calgary, AB.

Kendra is a passionate music educator dedicated to creating inclusive learning environments, building vibrant musical communities, and developing engaging, student-centered pedagogy. Her teaching experience spans both rural and urban settings, where she has worked with students from kindergarten through grade 12. She has taught elementary music methods, including Orff and Kodály, instrumental concert band, jazz band, and wind ensemble from grades 6 to 12. Outside the classroom, Kendra is an experienced clinician, having led instrumental sectionals and masterclasses focused on saxophone and clarinet. 

Alongside her work as an educator, Kendra has extensive performance experience across Manitoba, showcasing her versatility in various musical settings. She held a two-year tenure with the highly acclaimed Brandon University Big Band and has performed with the eclectic R&B/Jazz group Friday Kitchen at numerous club and restaurant venues. Additionally, she has appeared at Brandon’s Salamander Music Festival with Friday Kitchen and Route 10 Collective. Kendra has also performed with rock groups such as Route 10 Collective in Onanole, MB, and Hip 2B Square – a Huey Lewis and the News tribute band.

Kendra also plays bass clarinet, and soprano clarinet. She was a member of the 2019 National Youth Band of Canada, touring southern Manitoba and Winnipeg, and was accepted to NYB in 2020. Her experience extends to orchestral pits, where she played soprano clarinet in the Virden Theatre Productions' 2023 staging of The Music Man.

Kendra appears on Winnipeg guitarist Dane Neufeld’s Music From the Heart – Live! debut album, playing tenor and soprano saxophone. 

Beyond performing, Kendra has experience hiring and contracting musicians for various projects and arranging horn parts for different ensembles. Her work in arranging allows her to craft dynamic and engaging horn section parts that enhance the overall musical experience, particularly in jazz, rock, and R&B settings.

Kendra has had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with both international and national musical luminaries, including Ken Gold, Greg Gatien, Claire Devlin, Luis Deniz, Marika Galea, Wendy Zander, and Catherine Wood.