Cliff Hernandez is a composer, arranger and saxophonist from Manassas, Virginia. He currently studies with Jonathan Newman at Shenandoah Conservatory. His work includes performances from the Shenandoah University Marching Band,  Saxophone Collective and Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School Band. In 2024, he received the William Averitt Prize of Excellence in Composition for his work for flute, clarinet, violin, and cello, titled Padovan.