Music Awards

As a composer, I received the “Excellence in Composition Award” upon graduation from Taylor University (2016). Additionally, I was a finalist in the 2024 Symphonina competition.

As a performer, I won first prize in the Marion Philharmonic concerto competition, the prize of which was performing as soloist with the Marion Philharmonic (2015). I also received second prize at the Jacob’s School of Music Merit Scholarship for Strings (2014).

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 there, I played in numerous string quartets and professional orchestras. I also have experience teaching cello at a at a variety of skill levels.

Early Days in Composition

I look back on my early days of composing with immense gratitude. I had at least 4 professional musicians take an interest in my compositional skills in meaningful ways.

In my Suzuki method music school, the director of the program (Bill Klickman) gave me a disk to download the notation software Finale. After doing this, he would consistently ask me about my progress in writing. At this same music school, my cello teacher (Wequin He) asked me two years in a row to write or arrange something that our program’s cello choir could perform.

In addition to my music school teachers, I had two successive music directors in my local church commission works for performance in our services. One of these directors (Christi Shamburger), asked me to write a piece for handbells, to which I happily agreed. The other (Greg Otis) asked me to write several short pieces for choir, which again I was only too happy to do.

Looking back, I recognize that these compositions were far from masterpieces. But to have the thrill of hearing my pieces come to life–it was a massive motivation to keep writing. I feel so fortunate to have had these early encouragements in my musical life.

Personal Life

I have a wonderful wife (Elizabeth), as well as a baby girl and 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, that work being an NGO called “Punto de Encuentro” (“Meeting Point”). This NGO focuses on meeting needs for those displaced from their homeland (e.g., refugees) and providing training for those living in multicultural contexts (e.g., expats).

Outside of my family, work, and music, I find it hard to dedicate much time toward other interests. That said, however, long walks in nature is high on my list of pastimes.