Q: What education have you received prior to working at GCAA?

A: “I went to Ohio Northern University as my undergraduate to get my Music Education degree, with a focus in choral music and string music. I went to Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville [SIUE] for my master’s degree in music performance, and I focused in choral conducting and I did string playing as well.”

Q: What inspired you to become an orchestra conductor and music theory teacher?

A: “I was inspired by my orchestra teachers throughout middle school and high school, but the one conductor/professor that inspired me was Dr. Edwin Williams; he took me underneath his wing when I was in seventh grade, and got me into youth orchestra. I got myself into youth orchestra, but he believed in me. I became a youth orchestra director/teacher because it was important that I had somebody in my life that believed in me and encouraged me and my art, and I wanted to make sure I’m that type of person for someone else.”

Q: How are you preparing GCAA students as future musicians?

A: “I think I’m preparing my students in multiple ways, not just to be musicians, because the truth of the matter is students will most likely choose a path that is not music, but I’m still instilling work ethics, good habits, being consistent with practice, and being responsible and accountable for your product at the end.”

Q: What orchestra concert are you most looking forward to and why?

A: “The concert I’m looking most forward to this year is the spring concert because it’s going to complete a big work that students have been working on for over a year. The piece is called, “The Idylls of Pegasus,” by Richard Meyer.”

Q: What do you hope that students will be viewed as in the future after being in the orchestra/instrumental department at GCAA?

A: “I’d like for students to be viewed as prepared musicians, those that are able to sight read fairly well. I’d also like them to be viewed as well rounded, and actual musicians, versus people who can play music, but people to interpret and draw emotion out of the music.”