Dustin Dillon, a Resource Link Public Charter School senior in Coos Bay, played lead alto saxophone in the jazz band at the 41st-biennial All-Northwest Regional Music Conference in Spokane, Wash., last month.

He received top honors by being selected to join some of the finest high school musicians from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, a press release said.

Dustin has played first alto sax for the Oregon Music Education Association All-State Jazz Band for the past three years, only one other person has achieved this honor. He has been selected for Oregon State Solo/Ensemble at the University of Oregon campus in May.

Dustin also doubles on flute and clarinet.

Some of his playing over the past five years has included the "Little Ole Big Band" (at Little Theatre on the Bay), performing in high school bands, sax quartets, small ensembles, "Evolution" from the Oregon Coast Lab Band as well as subbing on occasion for the "It's About Time Big Band."

Dustin has been taking lessons from local musician, retired studio musician Matt Utal, for nearly five years. He also has recently been guided by music teacher, Dana Childs at Resource Link.

"My goal is to provide him with the opportunities to participate in these competitions. And prepare him for college," said Childs.

Dustin lives in Myrtle Point, and started learning the sax in seventh grade. He played with the Oregon Coast Lab Band for five years. It was there that he learned to play big band music and jazz, and he also learned his love for improv soloing.