My journey into composition was not planned. It came upon me suddenly after hearing Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony. That moment was like learning a new language. I have never looked back.

Awards and Recognitions

As a composer, I received the Excellence in Composition Award upon graduating from Taylor University in 2016. I was also a finalist in the 2024 Symphonina Competition.

As a performer, I won first prize in the Marion Philharmonic Concerto Competition in 2015, which gave me the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Marion Philharmonic. I also received second prize in the Jacobs School of Music Merit Scholarship for Strings in 2014.

My cello performance and compositional voice were recently featured in ATQ Magazine.

Degrees and Experience

I graduated magna cum laude from Taylor University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition. During and after my time at Taylor, I played in numerous string quartets and professional orchestras. I also have experience teaching cello at a variety of skill levels.

Early Days in Composition

I look back on my early days of composing with immense gratitude. At least four professional musicians took a meaningful interest in my compositional skills, and their encouragement played a significant role in my development.

At my Suzuki method music school, the program director, Bill Klickman, gave me a disk to download the notation software Finale. After that, he regularly asked about my progress in writing. My cello teacher at the same school, Wequin He, twice invited me to compose or arrange pieces for our program’s cello choir.

Beyond my music school mentors, I also had two successive music directors at my local church commission works for performance in services. The first, Christi Shamburger, asked me to write a piece for handbells, which I was delighted to compose. The second, Greg Otis, commissioned several short pieces for choir, which I eagerly wrote.

Looking back, I recognize that these early compositions were far from masterpieces. Yet, hearing my pieces come to life was an incredible motivation to keep writing. I feel so fortunate to have had these early encouragements in my musical journey.

Personal Life

I am blessed with a wonderful wife, Elizabeth, as well as a baby girl and a newborn son. My life feels so rich because of them.

Though I grew up in the United States, I currently live in Antequera, Spain. My work brought me here – specifically, an NGO called Punto de Encuentro (“Meeting Point”), which focuses on supporting those displaced from their homeland (e.g., refugees) and providing training for people living in multicultural contexts (e.g., expats).

Outside of my family, work, and music, I don’t often find time for other pursuits, but I do make space for long walks in nature, which is one of my favorite pastimes.