Dr. Charles Young

Associate Professor of Woodwinds, Director of Jazz Studies

Office: Old Main 128
Email: charles.young.1@minotstateu.edu

BM, University of Mississippi
MM, University of Southern Mississippi
DMA, University of Georgia

Charlie Young is an avid woodwind performer, teacher, clinician, and arranger. He joined the faculty at Minot State University in 2017, where he serves as Associate Professor of Woodwinds and Director of Jazz Studies in addition to teaching music theory and coaching chamber music. He has served as interim director of bands since Fall 2024, but looks forward to passing the baton in 2026.

Dr. Young holds the principal clarinet chairs of the Minot Symphony Orchestra and Western Plains Opera Company. As a founding member and clarinetist for the SubZero Winds, he has recently completed several tours of Northwest North Dakota bringing educational presentations and recitals to rural communities. He is a saxophonist, singer, and arranger for both Little Chicago Funk and the jazz fusion group the Pocket Protectors. In 2025 he was the saxophone soloist for the premier performance of Cody Brookshire's Double Concerto: Sophronizo for saxophone, clarinet, and wind ensemble at the North American Saxophone Alliance Region V Conference hosted at CCM.

Charlie is one of the hosts and the head of wind area for Dakota Chamber Music and teaches saxophone and performs with the faculty big band at the International Music Camp. He is an in-demand adjudicator for state and regional music festivals in North Dakota. Several of his MSU students have won both the Minot Symphony Orchestra Honors Competition and the NDMTA Young Artist Woodwind Competition. He holds seats on the Minot Symphony Orchestra Endowment Board and the Community Rocks Board.

Charlie enjoys kayaking, curling, and cuddling with his dogs. His primary teachers include Connie Frigo, Lawrence Gwozdz, Kimberly Woolly, and Wade Irvin.