SKILLS
- Visionary, tested leadership with executive and world-class musical experience
- Internationally recognized conductor of diverse community and professional ensembles
- Award-winning composer able to translate life experiences into memorable musical experiences
- Effective expert communicator through speeches, media interviews, video products, and written materials
- Highly reputable collaborator that values input from all types of organizational stakeholders
- Energetic, genuine, and dedicated work-ethic that attains professional success with work/life balance
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CIVILIAN
SYMPHONICITY
Music Director & Conductor
2017 - Present- Provides musical direction and programming for over 70+ performing members for up to 14 annual classical and pops events
- Collaborates with professional staff to include executive director, librarian, personnel managers and instrumental leaders
- Lead spokesperson for public outreach and media engagements
RADFORD UNIVERSITY
Adjunct Instructor / Director of Percussion
Jan 2009 – Jun 2009- Developed new innovative 2 + 2 year curriculum for 12 undergraduate percussion majors
- Led community masterclasses, concerts and educational events
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA COLLEGE AT WISE
Artist in Residence
Aug 2008 – Jun 2009Taught Music Appreciation, beginning piano class, composition lessons and forums, and directed the marching band percussion program.
- Authored new innovative digital curriculum for Music Appreciation courses
- Developed a new 4-yr comprehensive percussion curriculum
- Initiated region's first-ever percussion festival/seminar for area high school students
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Associate Conductor, Orchestra
Aug 2006 – Aug 2009- Conducted 60+ member Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra
- Led masterclasses on conducting and musicological topics
- Led featured performances at the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington D.C.
CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTE SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
David Effron Conducting Fellow
2007 – 2008Selected from an international pool as sole recipient of the 2007 David Effron Conducting Fellowship to serve as Associate Conductor for the Chautauqua Institution Music Festival Symphony Orchestra, leading symphonic, opera, ballet, and chamber music concerts for a 10-week summer concert series with over 20,000 in attendance.
AMERICAN WIND SYMPHONY
Director of Percussion for Music Scholars Program
1998 – 1999Director for percussion curriculum for 25 elementary, middle, and high school students throughout greater-Pittsburgh region.
- Created a regional percussion ensemble featuring students from an 80 mile radius around Pittsburgh
- Performed as faculty chamber soloist and ensemble member for clinics and concerts
FREELANCE MUSICIAN
Drummer/Percussionist
1994 – Present- All styles: Orchestral/Symphonic, Big Band, Jazz/Chamber, Percussion Ensemble, Marching/Rudimental Arts, World Music
- Drum set (Jazz, Big Band): West Virginia Symphony of Steel, The Len Gray Big Band, The Shin-Sings Orchestra, The Jefferson Street Strutters, Narrowpath (Christian Rock Band), Mind Traffic (Fusion band), Alarke (Electric Pop/Gypsy Jazz, New York City)
- Symphonic: Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Roanoke Opera, Capital Wind Symphony, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, Alfred Music Publications
MARCHING ARTS EDUCATOR, DESIGNER, & ADJUDICATOR
1994 – 2009- Adjudicator, Percussion and Music (including WGI Indoor Percussion)
- Music Education, percussion and ensemble
- Music Arranger, winds and percussion
- Marching Drill Designer
RECOGNITION:
2008 United States Scholastic Band Association 2nd place, U.S. Championships (Music/Front Ens. Arranger, Urbana HS, MD)
2008 United States Scholastic Band Association Virginia State Champions (Drill/Music/Perc. Arranger, Pulaski County HS, VA)
2007 Percussive Arts Society Virginia "Day of Percussion" Featured (Perc. Director, Thomas Edison HS, VA)
2007 Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Percussion Winner (Front Ens. Arranger, Urbana HS, MD)
2007 Virginia State Superior Ratings (Drill/Music/Perc. Arranger, Pulaski County HS, VA)
2006 Virginia State Superior Ratings (Music Arranger/Perc. Director, Radford HS, VA)
2000 Percussive Arts Society MD/DE "Day of Percussion" Featured (Perc. Director, Caesar Rodney HS, DE)
1999 Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast top-5 Percussion (Perc. Director, Caesar Rodney HS, DE)
1998 United States Scholastic Band Association National Percussion Title Runner-Up (Perc. Director, Wicomico HS, MD)
1997 United States Scholastic Band Association National Percussion Title (Perc. Director, Wicomico HS, MD)1997 Tournament of Bands Chapter 9 Percussion Winner (Perc. Director, Caesar Rodney HS, DE)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MILITARY
Flight Commander, Associate Conductor, U.S. Air Force Band, Washington D.C.
Jun 2016 - Sep 2017- Assistant director of operations of 184-member organization with nearly 1,600 performances each year
- Officer in charge and associate conductor of the premiere Concert Band, Singing Sergeants, and Airmen of Note
- Officer-in-charge of the Outreach and Marketing Office (social media, publicity and branding products)
- Producer for four CD album recordings
- Conductor for the National Tree Lighting Ceremony concert featuring U.S. President and First Lady Obama
Public Affairs Advisor to the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force
Mar 2015 – May 2016Chosen by Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Director to plan, coordinate, and develop a strategic public engagement plan for the Secretary of the Air Force including oversight for Secretary of the Air Force social media communications, national news interviews, and special products and announcements.
- Synchronized planning for 390 senior leader events within Air Force Pentagon Headquarters
- Led social media campaigns on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force
- Coordinated talking points for more than 80 public speaking events and multiple national news stories and interviews with FOX News, CBS, NBC, and others
Director, United States Air Forces Central Command Band
Aug 2014 – Feb 2015Led 24 musicians in 124 performances to more than three million people in five countries of Southwest Asia in support of national security objectives.
- Secured first-ever performances with Afghan musicians on a live call-in show for the country's second largest radio station with 2.6 million listeners
- Innovated outreach via live stream music conducting to connect U.S. cities and deployed musicians
- Revamped social media branding resulting in 350% increase in engagement
- Cemented Gulf regional partnerships with U.S. Embassies including the first all-public Air Force performance in Qatar and first-ever collaborations with Jazz at Lincoln Center (Doha)
- Guest conductor for the Doha Community Wind Symphony and the Qatar Music Academy
RECOGNITION:
Air Force 2014 Outstanding Communicator Award (#1 of 179 public affairs peers worldwide)
Director, National Capital Region Engagements Program, Air Force Public Affairs
Jul 2013 – Jul 2014Chosen by Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Director to plan and lead high visibility Pentagon engagements program.
- Planned and executed meetings between 190 national leaders, congressional delegations, and senior Air Force leaders
- Co-author of Air Force policy for $100 million dollar public outreach program
RECOGNITION:
Air Force Headquarters Public Affairs Company Grade Officer of the Year
Chief Executive Officer (Commander) & Music Director, Air Force Band of Flight
Jul 2012 – Jun 2013Director of 132 performances for over one million listeners including radio, TV, cable, and worldwide broadcasts, steward of $4M equipment account with a seven vehicle transportation fleet, and as leader responsible for training and equipping 47 personnel for world-wide deployment tours.
- Featured on "Air Force Today" broadcast for American Forces Network and 100+ civilian and military TV/cable channels
- Attracted a 20% increase in concert attendance
- Performances praised as "Best in 25 years" by leadership and local media
RECOGNITION:
2012 Headquarters Company Grade Officer of the Year
2012 Regional Air Force "Best Integrated Communication Award" for concerts and tours
2013 Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
2013 Winner of the Col George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence For Military Concert BandsSpecial Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Air Force Materiel Command
Oct 2011 – Jun 2012Hand-picked to assist the Chief of Staff of Air Force Materiel Command to train 90 Action Officers in staffing procedures, manage an electronic tasking system of 16,000 annual taskings including over 130 Congressional Inquiries and multiple Highly Sensitive/Secret projects, and to provide administrative support for time critical feedback between headquarters leadership and Pentagon/Washington D.C. senior leaders.
- New management tools for command suspenses led to lowest late-rate in three years
RECOGNITION:
2011 Headquarters Company Grade Officer of the Quarter
2011 Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Company Grade Officer of the Quarter
Vice Director & Assistant Conductor, Air Force Band of Flight
Jul 2009 – Sep 2011Assisted in leading a 45 member professional musical organization to co-manage a $500k operating budget, co-produce over 450+ annual performances including worldwide locations, and to develop plans for round-trip deployment of 10 musicians to South America.
- Served as interim executive director for five months
RECOGNITION:
2010 Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
2010 Headquarters & Public Affairs Company Grade Officer of the YearEDUCATION
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Military & Strategic Studies, Public Affairs
2009 – Present- 2014 Combat Airmen Skills Training, Fort Dix, NJ
- 2012 Squadron/Directors Commanders Course, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
- 2011 Public Affairs Qualifying, Defense Information School, Fort Meade, MD (DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE)
- 2010 Evasion Conduct After Capture SERE Training, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
- 2010 Air and Space Basics Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
- 2009 Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL (BRIEFING EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER)
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Master of Music, Orchestral Conducting
2006 – 2008PRINCIPAL TEACHERS:
- Anthony Maiello, conducting
- Mark Camphouse, conducting/composition
RADFORD UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Music, Music Theory & Composition (magna cum laude)
2001 – 2006PRINCIPAL TEACHERS:
- Mark Camphouse, composition
- Dr. David Phillips, composition and piano
- Dr. Bruce Mahin, composition
- Al Wojtera, percussion
- Elizabeth Curtis, voice
- Dr. David Zuschin, musicology
Activities: Music Majors Association (President), Phi Mu Alpha (Music Director), Pi Kappa Lamda, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, National Band Association Chapter (Founder and President), Conductors Guild, USA-TODAY All-American Academic First Team, Radford University Highlander Scholar
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
Music Education & Composition
1996 – 1998PRINCIPAL TEACHERS:
- Dr. Tim Peterman, percussion, Japanese taiko drumming
- She-e Wu, marimba
- Pasqual Young, African drumming and dance
- Ron Horner (former Israel Philharmonic Percussionist), symphonic percussion
- Al Wrublesky, drumset
- Aaron Guidry, percussion/rudimental
- Britt Allen, marimba
- Tom Miller, steel pan ensemble performance
- Mantle Hood Jr., Balinese gamelan
- Alan Coyle and Chandler Bailey, rudimental percussion
SALISBURY UNIVERSITY
Music Technology
1995 – 1996- Courses in music technology and philosophy
- Composed, produced, and lectured on a 20-minute electronic symphony utilizing various synthesizers, tone generators, special acoustic effects, and mixing techniques
RECOGNITION
CONDUCTING & COMPOSITION
- 2016 Winner among five international finalists as Music Director for the SYMPHONICITY orchestra in Virginia
- 2013 Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence Award
- 2012 Finalist for American Prize in Conducting (orchestra)
- 2009 Nationally selected as a United States Air Force Bands Conductor/Officer
- 2007 David Effron Conducting Fellow - Chautauqua Music Festival Symphony Orchestra
- 2005 Winner of National Band Association Young Composers Mentor Project Award
- 2004 Selected by Conductors Guild for lessons with Frederick Fennell
MILITARY SERVICE MEDALS
- Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Air Force Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Air National Guard Ohio Commendation Medal
MILITARY AWARDS
- 2014 United States Air Force Outstanding Communicator of the Year (1 of 179 peers worldwide)
- 2014 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Officer of the Year
- 2012 Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Officer of the Year and Communication Excellence Award
- 2012 Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command Officer of the Year
- 2012 Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Officer of the Quarter
- 2012 Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command Officer of the Quarter
- 2010 Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command Officer of the Year
- 2010 Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Officer of the Quarter
- 2009 USAF Officer Training School, Major General Jeanne M. Holm Briefing Excellence Award
COLLEGIATE RECOGNITION
- 2006 Radford University “Highlander Scholar”
- 2005 USA TODAY Top-20 All-American Academic First Team
- 2003 Presser Foundation Scholar
- 2002 Radford University Arts Society Scholarship
- 2001 University of North Texas Charn Uswachoke Percussion Scholarship (Full Tuition)
- 2001 Ithaca College of Music Scholarship (Percussion)
- 1996 West Virginia University Music Scholarship
- 1996 Maryland Distinguished Scholar Award
(ASSOCIATIONS AND INDUCTIONS)
- Radford University Music Majors Organization, President
- Radford University National Band Association Chapter, Founder/President
- Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership Society)
- Phi Mu Alpha Collegiate Honor Award (Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity)
- Pi Kappa Lambda (National Honors Society for Music)
- Phi Kappa Phi (National Honors Society for Academics)
- Whoʼs Who in American Colleges and Universities
SCHOLASTIC RECOGNITION
- John Philip Sousa Award, Wicomico High School, Maryland
- Maryland All-State Band: 1991, 1992, 1993*, 1994, 1995*, 1996 (* = principal chair)
- Maryland All-Shore Band Principal Percussionist: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
- Maryland All-State Solo and Ensemble: Superior Ratings in Grade VI Literature: 1995 and 1996
- Maryland Talented and Gifted Summer Music Program: 1989 and 1990
- Maryland Wicomico County Visual and Performing Arts Member: 1995 and 1996
- Salisbury Youth Symphony Orchestra, Principal Percussionist: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
COMPOSITIONS
CHAMBER MUSIC
- Arcadem, 1997, for woodwind trio. Composed for the West Virginia University Faculty Chamber Winds.
- Birds of the Wilderness, for SATB choir, based on the poem by Rabindranath Tagore.
- Circular Synthesis, for brass choir and percussion. Composed for "See the Music/Hear the Dance" 2004 dance production at Radford University.
- Fanfare de Novo, for double brass choir and percussion, commissioned by Radford University to honor university president, Penelope W. Kyle.
- It's A New Year!, for SATB choir and orchestra. First performed by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sterling, VA.
- Lasso Vita Mia, for SATB choir, based on anonymous 17th century Italian poetry. First performed by the Radford Madrigal Singers, Conducted by David Ottis Castonguay.
- Marimba Capriccio, for solo marimba and piano.
- Merry-go-Round, for saxophone quintet.
- On Blackness of Night's Sheets, for euphonium and narrator.
- Passing, for piano. First performed by Andy Reach, Radford University, 2006.
- Purple, dedicated to She-Wu, for solo marimba. Published by JW3 Publications, TX.
- Suite Bagatelle, for woodwind quintet. Premiered by Radford University Chamber Winds, March 2003.
- Sonata No. 1, for solo piano.
- Taiko Chops, for rudimental snare drum. Performed and premiered by Daniel W. Boothe at the 2001 Percussive Arts Society National Snare Drum Championships.
- Taiko Night, for percussion ensemble. Premiered by the Caesar Rodney HS Percussion Ensemble, Daniel W. Boothe directing, March 1999. Published by JW3 Publications, TX.
- The Cycle of Life, for soprano and piano, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Milay. Premiered by Andrea Kline and Lucy Mauro at Radford University, February 2006.
- Unanswered Questions. Missing Connections, for piano, flute, and treble choir. Composed for "See the Music/Hear the Dance" 2005 dance production at Radford University.
LARGE ENSEMBLES
- Spirit of the Season Overture, for symphonic, chorus, and strings. Premiered by he United States Air Force Band, Washington D.C., Colonel Larry H. Lang, conductor, December 2016.
- Music for a Dignified Transfer, for chamber orchestra. Composed for the Department of Defense. Produced and recorded by the United States Air Force Orchestra, 1Lt Shanti Nolan, conductor, April 2014.
- Fireworks!, commissioned and dedicated to Kay Logan. Premiered by the Chautauqua Band, Chautauqua, NY, Jason Weintraub, conductor, July 2009.
- Into the Spirit, commissioned by University of Virginia College at Wise Wind Ensemble, Wise, VA, Richard Galyean, conductor, April 2008.
- A Christmas Spectacular, for orchestra. Premiered by the George Mason University Symphony Orchestra, Daniel W. Boothe, conductor, December 2007.
- In the Shadow of Pines, commissioned by Ledford HS Wind Symphony, Ian Passmore, conductor, April 2006.
- Trinitas, commissioned and premiered by Richfield HS Symphony Band, Richfield, MN, Colleen Fischer, conductor, April 2004.
- Coronation and Fanfare, dedicated to James Anno. Premiered by the Wicomico HS Symphonic Band, James Anno, conductor, May 2003.
- A Christmas Spectacular, commissioned and premiered by Caesar Rodney HS Concert Band, Camden, DE., December 1999, DuWane Sandlin, conductor.
- World War Symphony, for orchestra, tape, and digital effects, May 1996.
PUBLICATIONS & TEXTS
- United States Air Force Outreach Guidance Under Sequestration, Policy Memorandum, co-author, signed by Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, February 2014
- Air Force Instruction 35-110 Public Affairs U.S. Air Force Band Program, contributor, February 2014
- An Experiential Method to Music Appreciation: Learn Music by Living It, self-published, January 2009
- Percussion Proficiencies: A Guide for Comprehensive Percussion Development for 4-year Collegiate Percussion Students, authored, self-published, August 2008
- History and Techniques of Marching Band: A Digital Guide, self-published, August 2008
- Purple for solo marimba, composer, published by JW3 Publications, Texas (Order from Steve Weiss)
- Taiko Night for percussion ensemble, composer, published by JW3 Publications, Texas (Out of Print)
TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS
- Department of Defense Information School, Public Affairs Qualifying Course (Public Relations)
- U.S. Air Force Air and Space Basics Course Diploma (Executive Leadership, Management, Aerospace)
- U.S. Air Force Officer Training School Diploma (Leadership, Management, Professional Ethics)
SOFTWARE
Notation: Sibelius (all versions), Finale (Notepad and Allegro versions), LIME, Encore/Music Time Deluxe
Audio: Cubase, Logic Pro, Apple Garageband, Harrison Mixbus 32
Photo/Video: Final Cut Pro X, iMovie, iPhoto, Picasa, VectorDraw
Productivity: MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Outlook), Apple Pages, OpenOfficeMEMBERSHIPS
Americans for the Arts
Conductors Guild
League of American Symphony Orchestras
National Band Association
World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles
LINKEDIN RECOMMENDATIONS
© 2023 BIRCHWOOD MUSIC SERVICES
All Rights Reserved
Last updated: MARCH 2023
The content of this website reflects the personal experiences and opinions of its author and is not endorsed by the United States Air Force, any other United States Government agency or Symphonicity orchestra. Reference herein to any specific person, business, non-profit organization, commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Air Force, the United States Government or Symphonicity.