This month, the wonderful team at TRYPO asked me to share some thoughts about my music and influences. While I’ve always found it challenging to pin down specific influences, since our experiences shape us in difficult-to-articulate ways, I can reflect on a few of the general musical experiences that have most profoundly shaped my journey and perspective.
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I grew up in a home with two music educators as parents, so I was engaged in music from a young age. My musical journey began early with piano lessons and later with trombone lessons when I joined the public school band. I was first genuinely captivated by music in a 6th-grade ensemble, where playing alongside 100 other students was a transformative experience.
Despite not being an extrovert, this collective form of music-making opened my eyes to the power of collaboration and the deep connections that can be forged through an activity like this.
In 7th grade, “jazz” entered my life and became a driving passion. My private trombone teacher, Robert Insko, played a pivotal role in this development, introducing me to the music of greats like J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding, and Wycliffe Gordon. Through Bob’s encouragement, I attended the Summer Jazz Workshops at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, where I had the opportunity to interact with professionals like Jon Faddis and Dwayne Dolphin. This period shaped my technical development and my curiosity about music.
While jazz was a primary fascination in high school, college exposed me to lenses through which to look at and understand music. At the Dana School of Music, I studied with outstanding mentors like Michael Crist and Stephen Gage. During this time, I developed a deep appreciation for arranging and composing, having the opportunity to write for ensembles like the Trombone Choir and jazz ensembles under the guidance of Dave Morgan and Kent Engelhardt. I laid the groundwork for my performance, education, and composition interests during this period. These early experiences helped me see music as a performance and a medium for sharing.
After earning my degree in music education, I spent 12 years teaching in public schools. During these years, I also pursued a master’s degree in electronic composition at Duquesne University, where I currently teach. This blend of teaching and learning enriched my creative process and included my first wind band composition in 2011. It reignited a curiosity for composing that had been dormant while I was focused on doing the work of a high school band director.
Reflecting on my musical voice, I see it as an amalgamation of the many styles and experiences that have shaped me—jazz, electronic music, popular song, teaching, band, and more. Exposure to this diverse experience has taught me that I appreciate limitless music – where there is always something to learn from an idea that may be new to me.
I find immense value in how music connects us across time, place, and perspectives.
Ultimately, my fascination lies in how music provides us with opportunities for connection. Whether through the collaboration of an ensemble, the delicate awareness of small group improvisation, or the expanding possibilities of electronic composition, music offers a way to connect meaningfully with ourselves and each other. How we appreciate music depends on the context and lenses we are given, and my goal as both a composer and educator is to provide new ways for people to experience and connect with music and create empathy for the unique human experiences around them. This journey is ever-evolving. I am working towards a DMA in composition at West Virginia University and am eager to continue exploring, learning, and sharing with those around me. Thanks for taking the time to read a bit about me!