IU Bloomington freshman, Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and Performance

At age 18, Sophie Faught has already found her true passion—music performance. A freshman at Indiana University Bloomington, Faught will spend her first year exploring her talent as a jazz saxophonist and learning how to improve her skills.

Faught is a student in the IU School of Music, majoring in jazz studies and performance, but she says she may add a double major in international studies. Faught chose IU “because it is one of the top jazz programs in the country, and it is close to my house in Indianapolis, so I can still see my parents a lot,” she says.

Faught is a Hutton Honors College student, and she is a member of the inaugural class of IU Hoosier Presidential Scholars. She lives on an Honors Residential Community floor in Forest residence hall.

Before arriving at college, Faught achieved many honors including 2003 winner of the University of Indianapolis Composition Competition. She graduated as salutatorian of her graduating high school class, played with legendary jazz groups like the Temptations and the Four Tops, and won outstanding soloist awards at the Elmhurst College and University of Louisville Jazz Festivals. She has performed at the Vail Jazz Festival, the Indy Jazz Festival, and the Ravinia Music Festival.

While at IU, Faught wants to join the tango club. She would like to join other clubs, but she is not sure she will have time to devote to them. During the fall semester, she is in a jazz large group ensemble (big band) and three combos. “I also go to as many jam sessions as I possibly can,” Faught says. “That means that I don't have a lot of time.”

After graduation, she hopes to become a professional musician, heading her own jazz group, and touring the world.