Femke Ijlstra is one of the most success-full saxophonists of her generation.
Public, jury and press are impressed by her versatility and expressiveness.

“Femke is truly a ambassador for her instrument, with absolute conviction and technical perfection she convinces herself and audience for her music.” (jury Frisian Emmy 15-12-15)
“Femke Ijlstra played with a refined musical depth and embattled elegance”
“Femke Ijlstra, wonderful on the alto saxophone, gracefully provoked and engaged a distinct timbre, with melodious phrasing that resulted in unforgettable resonance.” (Bachtrack 15-5-2016)

Femke is professor at Prince Claus Conservatory of Groningen, Netherlands.

Ijlstra studied saxophone with Arno Bornkamp and followed lessons by Claude Delangle, Jean-Marie Londeix and Eugene Rousseau. In Amsterdam she finished her master degree cum laude. Won several prices in competitions such as The Princess Christina Concours, and the National competition for wind players in The Netherlands.
In 2015 she won the Frisian Emmy, a price for young international talent.

Femke plays on a regularly basis with world's leading orchestras like the
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Budapest Festival Orchestra
and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
She plays on historical saxophones in the Belgian Orchestra Anima Eterna. 
In 2016 she won the audition for Tonhalle Orchestra in Zurich, Switzerland.

Soloistic activities are playing recitals in various music festivals and with symphonic chamber orchestra's. She is a regular guest in radio- and tv-shows.

Femke loves chamber music: she is the soprano saxophonist of the renowned Aurelia Saxophone Quartet, and founder of the Syrène Saxophone Quartet. They performed in Amsterdam, The Hague as well in St. Petersburg, Paris and Berlin.

Femke IJlstra is curious about theater and other disciplines in art, which resulted in many music-theater performances and tours across the Netherlands. She worked together with actors, poets and dancers.

She recorded her first CD together with poems and artwork in a book called Stofsugersjongers. On this CD Femke plays music from M.A.Turnage, and new pieces written for her by Guillermo Lago and Micha Hamel.