A native Arkansan, I began piano study at age eight and the trombone at age12 in the Lake Hamilton Public Schools, graduating in 1988. Outstanding achievements of those years include winning both the Fort Smith Young Artists Competition, sponsored by the Ft. Smith Symphony, and Performance highlights include soloing with the Ft. Smith Symphony, the Hot Springs Community Band and being a member of the Hot Springs Brass Quintet.
Undergraduate study was at Henderson State University, studying with Dr. Wesley Branstine, where I received a Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance. During this period, I won the Northeast Arkansas Symphony Competition, soloing with both the Northeast Arkansas Symphony as well the HSU symphonic band, and began composing and arranging for small ensembles.
Subsequently, while performing with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra as 2nd trombone, I soloed with Little Rock Wind Symphony and presented a guest recital for the University of Central Arkansas. Living in Hot Springs, AR, home of a U.S. National Park, I also became active performing and arranging for Hot Springs theatrical productions.
Postgraduate work at the University of Illinois, studying with Elliot Chasanov, led to a Master of Music in Performance in 1996. Highlights of 95-96 included more serious composition and arranging with “Visions of A Bored Businessman” for eight-part trombone ensemble premiering in 1995 followed by a performance at the 1996 International Trombone Workshop.
Beginning the fall of 1996, I began working as a private instructor for the Plano & Frisco, TX, ISDs, performed with the Slideshow Trombone Ensemble of Dallas, TX and became more active as a composer with several works receiving premieres in the subsequent ten years. Some of these include; “Bass Trombone Sonata #1”, performed by Michael McLemore, Yaxley Award Winner, in 1997; “Tenor Trombone Sonata #1”, performing and arranging for regular Hot Springs productions Tony Baker, Associate Professor of Trombone, University of North Texas, in 1998; “Atlanta for trumpet & piano” & “Cerberus for Trumpet & Band”, Michelle Kaminski, Moscow International Trumpet Competition Winner, in 1999 & 2000; and “Fantasy for Trombone”, Keith Jackson, Professor of Trombone, West Virginia University, in 2006. Premiered band works include “The Cricket, 2001” performed by the Staley Middle School Band and “Mythos III, “The Wind and the Wisp”, 2002” performed by the Frisco High School Band.
Most recently, while serving as a band director in the Dallas Metroplex, I have focused upon exercise studies Such as the “Sightreading Skillbuilders” series, marching shows and concert band works.
In addition to composing, I am currently the Band Director at Shepton High School in Plano ISD.
