Coupeville Sports

McKenzie Rice lays down some tunes. (Wendi Yang photo)

McKenzie Rice can wail.

The Coupeville High School sophomore, who has a busy schedule with tennis, drama, Leo’s Club and band, is inspired by a legend when she picks up her saxophone.

“I think my strength is my tone and how well I can manipulate the sound of my instrument, but I could definitely improve on almost everything there,” Rice said. “My goal is to be able to get as close as I can to playing like Charlie Parker on the saxophone. He is amazing!”

A four-year veteran of band (“I joined because I was given the option to join either band or choir, and at the time, not having any idea what either completely were, I chose band and have not regretted the decision once”) she also plays the flute.

Regardless of which instrument she has at a given moment, she delights in the audience response she and her bandmates receive.

“I enjoy getting to hear all the cool music we play,” Rice said. “I like playing for everyone at our concerts.”

While the legend of Charlie Parker inspires her, two more close-to-home players helped fire her interest in the sax.

“Shelby and Anna (graduates from two years ago/amazing saxophone players) had a huge impact on me,” Rice said. “They made me challenge myself and try to improve as much as I could so I could prove that I was good enough to play with the high school band.

“Without them I wouldn’t have had anyone who proved that great saxophone players can exist in small towns,” she added.

A big fan of her pre-cal class, Rice is fond of the Leonardo Di Caprio film “Inception” and Maroon 5 (they’re an amazing band”). She was also just in the CHS stage production of “Christmas Belles.”

“My primary interest is pretty much just acting and drawing,” Rice said. “I mostly spend my time with family and/or friends, or catching up on all the work my teachers give me.”