ABOUT
A Performer
My performance history spans a variety of musical styles, ensemble types, venues, and instruments. I have performed as a member of wind bands, big bands, saxophone chamber groups, mixed chamber groups, a pit orchestra, and a woodwind choir. I have doubled on soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass saxophones as well as clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, and even trombone (although I certainly wouldn't hire myself to fill a trombone seat!).
Some of my most notable performances include the XIX World Saxophone Congress in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Conference with the UNT Wind Symphony, Evelyn Glennie, and the Barcelona Clarinet Players; the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference as a member of the Missouri State University Jazz Studies Ensemble, a performance as a featured soloist on Come Sunday (Omar Thomas) with the Missouri State University Wind Ensemble, and selection as a finalist in the 2022 Concerto Competition at the University of North Texas.
For a complete list of repertoire I have studied, go here. (Page unavailable on mobile)
To hear recordings of some of my performances, visit my YouTube channel.
An Educator
My greatest joy in music comes from teaching others. Experiences as a student teacher and Graduate Assistant really spoke to my heart as I connected with students musically, academically, and interpersonally. I have experience teaching students of various ages and backgrounds (my youngest student was seven years old and my oldest in his 90s!). I believe that, because music is meant to be shared with others, everyone is entitled to a music education so that they can understand the music that they consume and produce.
To learn more about my experience as a music educator, go here.
Who is this guy?
I am a saxophonist, composer, and music educator originally from Union, Missouri, but I now live in Denton, Texas. My desire to share all kinds of music with the world is what drives the three main facets of my career: performing music, creating music, and teaching music.
A Composer
Composing and arranging are two of my passions. I love expressing myself through creating original music! I enjoy rhythmic music, mixed and asymmetrical meters, and unique timbres and this is reflected in my original works.
My first major work for band, Village Suite, was premiered by the Southwest Baptist University Wind Symphony in 2019 and was also selected as the subject of the 2019 Casebolt Project at SBU (a multi-discipline presentation in which the music, art, theater, and language departments collaborate to create derivative works based upon the same original work).
My arrangements consist of saxophone quartets, works for wind band and choir, unaccompanied saxophone solos, and a good number of pop tunes for pep band.
Some of my favorite composers include John Barnes Chance, Les Claypool, Stewart Copeland, Percy Grainger, Arata Iiyoshi, Jeff Lynne, Junichi Masuda, Claude T. Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Hayley Williams.
For a complete list of my works, go here.
Is he cool though?
While this question can only ultimately be answered by you, the reader, my interests include spending time in nature, watching movies and educational videos, creating lists, playing video games, exploring thrift stores, trying new foods, photography, and listening to and writing about music. I also love animals, especially dogs, birds, and reptiles. I am also an avid fan of both the Pokémon video games and trading cards. I find peace in spending time outdoors, and camping, fishing, and hiking pair well with my interest in amateur photography.
Is he qualified?
I hold degrees from University of North Texas (DMA '24), Missouri State University (MM '21), and Southwest Baptist University (BME & Performer's Certificate '19). I have been teaching music in a variety of contexts since 2017, including band, applied lessons (on saxophone, clarinet, and bassoon), and saxophone master classes. I previously served as the Graduate Assistant to the saxophone studio and Jazz Studies department at Missouri State University and as a Teaching Fellow for classical saxophone at University of North Texas.
My saxophone teachers were Doug Rice, Jeffery Waters, Randy Hamm, and Eric Nestler. I also studied composition with Renee Waters, John Prescott, Andrew May, and Hee Yun Kim. Some of my other teachers include Brian Hopwood (conducting) and Terri Wehmeyer (trombone).
To request a copy of my resume, please reach out to me from my contact page.