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MM, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Trumpet Performance BM, Peabody Conservatory, Trumpet Performance and Music Education
2017 - Performed with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra 2017 - International Trumpet Guild Conference Scholarship 2014-2017 - Member of the University of Massachusetts Graduate and Faculty Brass Quintets
I am a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I received my Masters of Music in Trumpet Performance with Eric Berlin. In my time there, I was a member of the Graduate Brass Quintet, Faculty Brass Quintet, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Trumpet Ensemble. I also had the opportunity to perform on two concerts with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra in Symphony Hall. I did my undergraduate work at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, where I received two Bachelors of Music, in Trumpet performance and Music Education.
My teaching experience has covered various situations, styles, and instruments. During my undergraduate work I taught general music at an elementary school, and did my student teaching as an instrumental teacher in an elementary school, and as a band teacher in a middle school. In my junior year I spent three weeks teaching in Uganda, where I taught high school aged beginners and intermediate brass and percussionists. During my graduate degree I taught students of various levels and ages privately, and also taught the Trumpet Techniques class, where I taught non trumpet playing music education majors the basics of how to play trumpet as well as how to teach it in their future classrooms.
I focus beginning students the value of good air support and aim to get them the best tone possible. From there, I get them playing songs that they recognize, teaching both by ear and with a method book. I believe it is important for students to be exposed to quality musicianship as often as possible, so I play for them regularly and have them try to copy my phrasing and sound. For advanced students, I choose solo repertoire that will challenge them both technically and musically, so that they will develop a full set of skills.
I love teaching because I believe most, if not all, people love music and can learn to love making music. I want it to be fun for them, to keep them interested. I believe that a set of expectations on the student is required to keep them motivated, but I am never upset or disappointed if they don't practice enough. I think keeping them involved in music is the most important part, and I know that many students will not pursue a full time career in music, but music is valuable to them in so many ways.