My Why

My Musical Journy

During my Highschool career I was nominated to to perform at Michigan State University with the Spartan Youth Wind symphony. It was an honor to get nominated to play with this great ensemble. This opportunity allowed me to see what collegiate musicianship was and meant. I was a great challenge for me which pushed me to always be a better player and learn how to play with different musicians it opened my eyes to what was possible in my future.

During my time at Western Michigan University I had the opportunity to serve as a performer of the Bronco Marching Band sousaphone section additionally I was able to serve as a Section leader of the sousaphone section for my final two years. As section Leader I was tasked with leaning how to work with others on my leadership team effectively as well as being tasked with preparing the section musically to preform at the highest levels of tone, sound production and accuracy.

During my summers when not working I participate in Local community and concert bands. I’ve had the opportunity to play as a member of the Northport community band, Benzie community band as well as the Northern Michigan College Concert band. these ensembles play all over northern Michigan playing for the local and surrounding communities.

My favorite part about playing with these ensembles is These ensembles are filled with every kind of player which come from every way of life. There are some as young as twelve and some as old as nighty-six years young! There are young Middle and Highschool students from locals schools, local music Educators, local professionals and some who are just picking their instrument back up after decades of not playing rediscovering their love for music.

These opportunities have opened my eyes to the fact that Music is for everyone. The thing that has stuck with me for all these years has been after my first ever community rehearsal with the Northport community band I had some performers of the group come up to me and tell me they we’re so glad to see me taking up music as a career and this particular member told me that they used to play clarinet in high school and gave up playing after they graduated and picked up playing after a forty-two year hiatus and said that if they could do it again they never would’ve stopped playing they told me “Never stop playing, and if you do, never give up on music, music is for everyone”.

During my time at WMU I spent six semesters preforming with the University Symphonic band as well as four semesters in the University Concert band on My secondary instrument Bass Trombone.

I also had the opportunity as a member of the Tuba and Euphonium studio to travel to bowling Green University for the Midwest regional International Tuba and Euphonium conference where I played in the Tuba and Euphonium choir as well as competing with as a performer of a tuba euphonium quartet.

During my senior year of Highschool I was nominated to preform as part of the Michigan Musician abroad band which during the following summer (2024) preformed across Europe stopping to play concerts in England, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. This experience allowed me to network with educators from across the state that took part in the ensemble. As well as learning to play with players I’m not accustomed to playing with.

During my Highschool career I had the opportunity through my band directors to during my free hours of the day go to the middle school and work with individual young players and give individual lessons or work with sections for the hour on music they were struggling with in class. I also had the responsibility to fit beginning players for tuba and euphonium.

During my time at WMU I was asked to come and visit my old program during my school breaks. I again had the opportunity to work with students at the Middle and High Schools doing individual lessons wit students as well as sectionals and full ensembles. I also was asked to help Tech at the Highschool band camp where I would Run sectionals, work audio equipment, Dress drill and fix students instruments.

All of these opportunities I was able to capitalize on have been instrumental in my career as a music educator getting hands on experience with students before I even Declared my major which has now opened many doors for me and given me invaluable experience to carry into the classroom.