Music

I began playing the trumpet in 1993, at the age of 11. I played jazz shortly thereafter and was immediately hooked. I got involved as much as possible, playing in marching band, wind ensemble, and big band all through my high school tenure.

Immediately following high school, I was admitted to and began attending Butler University as a major in Music Performance, eventually changing my major to Music Composition, finding a new desire to write instrumental music while still playing in an orchestra, big band, and wind ensemble.

During college, I also had the opportunity to play with numerous professional bands, the primary of which was called Conjunto Urbanos, a traditional Cuban son band. I also played guitar in my professional ensembles and at churches and Campus Crusade meetings.

Following the attainment of my Bachelor's degree, I went on in pursuit of my Master's degree in Music Composition at the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC). After a year of that pursuit, I decided to change my focus and instead pursue a degree in Higher Education, particularly college student development.