Teaching Philosophy

I believe that every student should have the opportunity and access to high-quality and individualized instruction.  As an instructor and coach, I try to meet every student where they are in the learning process and create a safe and encouraging environment that promotes healthy growth by inspiring my students to not only succeed in my courses but to gain a passion for learning.

As a private music instructor, I use a variety of tools to aid in my instruction including online learning resources, traditional and contemporary trumpet literature, breathing exercises, tactile learning examples and exercises, and singing and buzzing practice techniques. I seek to engage the student in the learning process by giving them a variety of tools to use in the practice room and encouraging them to experiment with these tools to find what works best for them in each situation. I also believe that students learn music best through experience; therefore, I dedicate a portion of each lesson to performances (performing duets, playing exercises and solos with CD accompaniment, etc.).

I try to facilitate learning that is connected to the music industry by helping facilitate community performances and music outreach opportunities.

Education

Central Michigan University - Master of Music in Trumpet Performance emphasis in brass pedagogy (May 2013)

University of Louisiana Lafayette - Honors Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance with thesis - Romancing With Steam Lafayette, LA (May 2011)

Performances/Groups

Point Theater - Contracted Musician (Summer 2018-2019)

This is a grant-funded project in Hill Country that produces one large musical with a full pit orchestra during the summers. I was privileged enough to perform with them on “Back to the 80s” (2018) lead trumpet and “Mama Mia” (2019) bass guitar

Fredericksburg Theater Company - Contracted Musician (Dec. 2019)

I was contracted to play bass guitar for their production of “A Christmas Carol - A Live Radio Play”

San Antonio Brass Band - Cornet (Dec. 2018-2019)

This band is a group of local musicians who live near San Antonio. The band competes at the North American Brass Band Association competition annually

The Salvation Army Territorial Band - Cornet (Sep. 2016-2018)

The Territorial Band of the Salvation Army is an auditioned group of brass musicians who come together to perform goodwill tours in the USA and around the World, record music, teach and help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ

Texas Divisional Staff Ensemble - Staff Musician (Sep. 2015-2017)

This is a small ensemble of musicians based around the DFW area, who work for or with the Salvation Army. The ensemble is most active during the Christmas season: used to help promote and raise funds for the local mission of The Salvation Army - Including playing for the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Kettle Kickoff. I coordinated the ensemble, in charge of booking gigs and personnel as needed.

Texas Divisional Band - Staff Musician (Sep. 2015-2018)

The Texas Divisional Band is a group of non-payed musicians who are members of their local Salvation Army Corps and is made up of the best adult musicians across the state of Texas. I was a member of this group on paid staff in charge of helping organize logistics and fill in as needed.

Dallas Brass Band - One of the founding members (Jan. 2017 - 2018)

Dallas Brass Band is a community brass band that rehearses twice a month and performs 2-3 public performances a year. I was the soprano cornet player during the band’s inaugural season.

CenTex Brass Quintet - Contracted Musician (Dec. 2018)

Second Trumpet for annual Gruene Christmas Festival

Fredericksburg UMC Orchestra - Contracted Musician (Jan. 2018 - Dec. 2019)

Lead trumpet “Many Moods of Christmas” (2019); Choral Workshop with guest Pepper Chopin (2018)

Van der Stucken Music festival - Contracted Musician (March 2019)

Substitute 3rd trumpet for ASU Symphonic Orchestra

Texas Brass - Staff Musician (Fall 2015 - Spring 2018)

Flugelhorn, solo cornet, and soprano as needed

Jumping Giants - Contracted Musician (Fall 2014 - Spring 2015)

Lead trumpet player for a top 40s horn band

Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale - Contracted Musician (Jan. 2014 - Spring 2015)

Substitute trumpet player

MRRRP Productions - Contracted Musician (Summer 2014)

Lead trumpet for production of “Into the Woods”

Lone Star Brass Quintet - Contracted Musician (Sep. 2014 - Fall 2015)

Substitute trumpet player

Central Michigan University Faculty Brass Quintet - Staff Musician (2011 - 2013)

Second Trumpet

Great Lakes Symphony Orchestra - Contacted Musician (Dec. 2012)

Principal Trumpet for Handel’s Messiah

Central Michigan University Symphony Orchestra (Fall 2012 - Spring 2013)

Principal Trumpet

Central Michigan University Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Fall 2011)

Principal Trumpet

Louisiana Faculty Brass Quintet (2010)

Substitute Trumpet

Beau Soleil avec Michael Doucet (Dec. 2010)

Principal Trumpet for Acadiana Center for Arts Medicine Show

Givers (2011)

Principal Trumpet for Festival International de Louisiane

University of Louisiana at Lafayette (2009-2011)

Symphony Orchestra; Symphonic Wind Ensemble; Echelon Brass Quintet (2010-2011)

Louisiana Intercollegiate Honors Band (2010)

Principal Trumpet

First Baptist Church Lafayette Orchestra(2009-2011)

Principal Trumpet; Co-Principal Trumpet (2009 - Spring 2010)

First Church of the Nazarene Lubbock Orchestra (2008-2009)

Principal Trumpet

West Winds Brass Band (2009)

Guest Soloist “Hummel Trumpet Concerto”