Bio
Shaan is a Colorado-based multi-instrumentalist with a passion for jazz.
He plays piano and tenor sax and is a class of 2027 student at Peak to Peak Charter School in Lafayette, Colorado.
At age 5, Shaan began taking classical piano lessons using the Suzuki Method. In middle school, he transitioned to jazz after discovering he wasn’t required to play exactly what was written on the page!
Also in middle school, Shaan began learning tenor sax, having been influenced by the sound of Dexter Gordon and other sax greats.
Shaan has been a member of the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (CCJA) since middle school and has been a musician in CCJA’s flagship student group (CCJA Jazz Arts Messengers) led by Eric Gunnison, as well as in its big band (CCJA Big Band).
Shaan has attended a number of jazz summer camps, including Interlochen Arts Camp, Stanford Jazz Institute, Jazz in the Sangres, and UNC Jazz Camp. Through his participation in these camps and CCJA, Shaan has had the great fortune of working with and learning from notable musicians, including: Eric Gunnison, Annie Booth, Charles Blenzig, George Russell Jr., Dayna Stephens, Paul Romaine, Greg Gisbert, John Gunther, Drew Zaremba and Don Aliquo. Shaan currently studies privately with Paul Cotugno (piano) and Chris Ruiz (sax).
Outside of CCJA, Shaan performs on piano and tenor sax for his high school jazz band, and he participates regularly at local jam sessions on both instruments.
Shaan has been selected for All-State Jazz Band (piano & tenor sax) in every year of high school, qualifying on both instruments in the same year.
In the classical music realm, Shaan has been selected for both All-State Concert Band (tenor sax) and the University of Colorado Honor Band (tenor sax) in every year starting as a sophomore.
In 2025-26, Shaan was one of only three students statewide to be selected for All-State Jazz Band, All-State Concert Band and CU Honor Band.
Statewide Honor Groups
2026 All-State Jazz Band (tenor sax)
2025 All-State Jazz Band (piano & tenor sax)
2024 All-State Jazz Band (piano)
2026 All-State Concert Band (tenor sax)
2025 All-State Concert Band (tenor sax)
2026 Univ. of Colorado Honor Band (tenor sax)
2025 Univ. of Colorado Honor Band (tenor sax)