Rhett Bender is a Professor of Music at the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University. He teaches music theory and saxophone performance and is a founding member and soprano saxophonist with the Mazama Saxophones and Globe Saxophone Quartet. Rhett joins The Playful Musician to discuss pandemic challenges, including teaching remotely and how performing has changed. He shares about his time as a student of Dr. Kenneth Fischer, and how Fischer taught him to practice efficiently. Rhett talks about his journey to become a saxophonist and university professor. We chat about the difference between playing and practicing and Rhett shares where he finds creative inspiration.