Bio

Portia Njoku, a composer, tubist, and music educator, holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in Music Composition and Theory from the University of California, Davis and a double master's degree in Music Composition and Tuba Performance from California State University Sacramento.  As an active performer, Ms. Njoku, has held principal positions with many ensembles and continues to freelance with chamber groups like the highly popular German Brass Band, The Grand Isle Fire Brigade, throughout the Sacramento and Bay Area region. ​ 

As a composer, Ms. Njoku loves to compose for all types of chamber groups and modern dance collaborations.  In 2008, she wrote the tuba quartet Elegy for a King, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for Black History month.  Elegy for a King was later recorded on Dr. Joanna Ross Hersey's album, O quam mirabilis, in 2010 and is currently available on iTunes. During the 2014 - 2015 season, Ms. Njoku became the composer in residence for the Sacramento based vocal ensemble, Vox Musica, who premiered works like Early Morning Blue. In 2015, Ms. Njoku wrote Come Down to Joyland, which was originally premiered with the ensemble Trio MôD, and is an early 20th century version of an advertisement for Sacramento city folk to come to the fun and exciting Joyland amusement park. 

As a music educator, Ms. Njoku was an Instructional Assistant  at American River College for the last 7 years and Beginning Band instructor at Coyote Ridge Elementary School for 5 years. Currently, Ms. Njoku serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at both American River College and Folsom Lake College, and Music Lecturer at the University of California -Davis, teaching a variety of courses for all three music departments. In addition, Ms. Njoku teaches private lessons, and coaches various ensembles and brass sections including college marching bands, community orchestras, brass quintets, high school honor bands, and university concert bands. Over the years, Ms. Njoku has studied with Julian Dixon, Scott Choate, and Bruce Chrisp on tuba, and Dr. Stephen Blumberg and Professors Leo Eylar and Pablo Ortiz for composition. When she is not musically engaged, Ms. Njoku loves to cook, play sports, and enjoy time with friends and family.

Currently, Ms. Njoku is working to increase interest and awareness of the tuba to music fans of all ages throughout the region. For inquiries on performance opportunities, commissions, lessons, and or coaching sessions, please leave a message on the contact page.