CAREER GOALS:

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• To consistently stay active creating music as a composer, arranger, and performer, while enjoying financial security. 

• To create an extensive catalog of classical concert works of the highest artistic integrity, have them professionally recorded, frequently performed, and be regularly commissioned to write more. 

• To obtain a D.M.A. in Music Composition from a reputable university.

• To serve the community by doing my part to pass on my knowledge and experience to the next generation.

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EDUCATION:

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• M.M. in Music Composition from Southern Methodist University. (Spring 2021)

  • Studied Composition with Dr. Robert Frank and Dr. Xi Wang.

• Took independent classical trumpet lessons with Adrian Griffin, author of the book From Buzz to Brilliance and principal trumpet of the Orquesta Sinfonica de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Monterrey, Mexico). (2016-2017) 

• Participated in most of a year-long musical theater training program for composers, lyricists, and book writers with ANMT (Academy of New Musical Theater) in Los Angeles. (My move to Mexico interrupted the program.) (2012)

• Participated in Scott Smalley's Film Orchestration course (Los Angeles). (2011)

• Took some independent composition lessons with the late Dr. Carolyn Bremer (Long Beach, CA). (2010)

• Worked towards an (incomplete) M.M. in Music Composition at Missouri State University (formerly Southwest Missouri State University). (2000)

  • Studied Composition with Dr. John Prescott and Dr. Michael Murray.

• B.M. in Trumpet Performance from Missouri State University (formerly Southwest Missouri State University). (1999)

  • Studied Trumpet with Dr. Neil Seipp (Central Missouri State University), Michael Casey (MSU), and Dr. Grant Peters (MSU).

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COMMISSIONS, AWARDS, & ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

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• 2020 – My work, Hullaballoo for Violin, Clarinet, Trumpet, and Piano, was selected for inclusion in the New Works Recital Series at the 2021 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Garden Grove, CA, June 1-5, 2021. 

• 2020 – Huapango de los Muertos for Symphony Orchestra was selected as a finalist for the 2020 Reno Pops Orchestra Composer's Night Competition.

• 2020 – Moon Dances for Symphony Orchestra was selected as a semi-finalist in the Tampa Bay SO 5thAnnual Call for Scores Composition Competition. 

• 2019 – Huapango de los Muertos for Symphony Orchestra was one of 17 finalists out of 131 entries into the Tampa Bay SO 4th Annual Call for Scores Composition Competition. 

• 2019 – Selected as Composer in Residence for the Irving Symphony Orchestra (a professional orchestra in the DFW area) for the 2019-2020 season, which premiered my Huapango de los Muertos on February 22, 2020.

• 2020 – Waiting Room, a 1-Act Opera, was workshopped by the SMU Voice Department, and slated for performance in April 2020, but the performance was canceled due to COVID-19.

• 2019 – Commissioned by Dr. William Haugeberg of the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley to compose Huapango de los Muertos for Trombone and String Quartet. Premiered at the 2019 International Trombone Festival, and slated for recording in 2021.

• 2018 – Commissioned by Dr. Cara Pollard of Texas Christian University to compose Metamorphosis: A Butterfly's Journey of Transformation for the Imbroglio Sextet. Recorded in Spain, August 2019, and awaiting premiere public performance.

• 2011 – Won the 2011 Cal-State Bakersfield Composition Competition for Heroes & Villains for Wind Ensemble. Performed by the Cal-State Bakersfield community concert band in Bakersfield, CA that same year.

• 2010 – Won the 2010 Penfield Music Commission Project Composition Contest for Heroes & Villains for Wind Ensemble. Premiered by the Penfield High School Wind Ensemble in Rochester, NY that same year.

• 2005 – Won "Best Arrangement" in the 2005 Northrop International Brass Band Composition Competition in the "Arrangement" category for Carol of the Bells for Brass Band. Received public performance.

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MUSICAL EXPERIENCE (Overview):

 

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (2018-present)

• Active as a composer and arranger, mostly for concert music and jazz. Wrote a number of arrangements for the SMU Meadows Wind Ensemble. 

• Versatile freelance trumpet player (Jazz, Big Band, Top 40, Latin, Musical Theater, Church Orchestras, Classical, etc.).

• Maintained an active trumpet studio for two years, teaching private lessons in various school districts. 

 

Monterrey, Mexico (2012-2013 / 2015-2017)

• Freelance trumpet player—mostly jazz but also classical and various Latin styles. Played for many live events and recording sessions. 

• Highlights: Participated in several performances of Stravinski's Soldier's Tale. Performed as part of the trumpet section for the Orquesta Sinfonica de Yucatán, a professional orchestra in Mérida. Performed at various music festivals with my jazz ensembles, including a spot at the Monterrey Jazz Festival (Mexico, not the other one). Performed for the governor of the state of Nuevo León with my group, Mardi Gras Brass, playing my own arrangement, which I was hired to write. 

• Founded MonteJAZZ Vintage Bands and formed a number of jazz ensembles: A Dixieland Band (The Dixie Cats), a 6-horn big band (The Swing Cats), a jazz combo (The Jazz Cats), a pop-jazz combo (Take Five Quintet), a swinging rock & roll band (The Rockin’ Rollers), a vintage-style pop band a la Postmodern Jukebox (Radio RE:Mix), and a second line brass band (Mardi Gras Brass)… mostly with my own original arrangements.

• Extensive jazz arranging experience. 

• Conducted a short-lived big band for about 3 months.

• Taught occasional private trumpet lessons to those who approached me. 

• Learned Spanish. 

 

Life at Sea (2014)

• Served several contracts as a showband musician onboard Princess & Carnival Cruises. 

• Composed during my free time. 

 

​Los Angeles, CA (2001-2012)

• Freelance arranger and composer, and occasional performer.

• Composed several independent short films, coordinating and conducting the recording sessions, while working with local Hollywood professional musicians.

• Worked on several musical theater collaborations that ultimately fell apart, but provided valuable experience. Wrote many musical theater songs (specific to the project) that do not appear in my catalog nor list of works. 

• Composed for wind band, brass band, choir, and chamber ensembles. 

• Formed a British style brass band and a brass quintet.

• Worked for a period of time in non-musical jobs, such as: computer/network technician; bookkeeping; marketing & copywriting. These experiences not only made me more determined to make a career in music and to be more resilient, but taught me valuable skills I still use today. 

 

​Springfield, MO (1995-2000)

• Led the local Salvation Army Brass Band for one year.

• Taught private trumpet lessons for two years at Palen Music Center.

• Performed in the university Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Jazz Band, along with occasional freelance gigs.

• Began studying composition and composed a number of student-level works.

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LIST OF WORKS AND THEIR PERFORMANCES, RECORDINGS, PUBLICATION & RECOGNITION:

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• Short Film Score: Grit (2020, approx. 5m of music) Hybrid orchestral-electronic score.

• Adventures of La Llorona for Wind Ensemble (2020, 11m).

  • Composed as part of my thesis project. Works as a stand-alone piece, but is to be part of my first Symphony, Sinfonia Mexicana, for Wind Ensemble. 

• Moon Dances for Symphony Orchestra (2020, 6.5m). 

  • Was scheduled for a reading by the SMU Meadows Symphony Orchestra in Spring 2020. Canceled due to COVID-19. 

  • Selected as a semi-finalist for the 5th Annual Call for Scores Composition Competition by the Tampa Bay Symphony Orchestra.

• Heroes & Villains for Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble (rev. 2020, 8m). A significant revision of the 2010 piece of the same name (see below). This revision is unperformed. 

• Waiting Room, a 1-Act Musical Theater Opera for 8 Solo Vocalists and Piano (2020, 25m). 

  • Workshopped by the SMU vocal department in Spring 2020. 

  • Scheduled for performance in Spring 2020. Canceled due to COVID-19.

  • Slated for recording in March 2021 to be presented and streamed during my graduate recital. 

• Charge of the Light Brigade for Baritone Voice and Piano (2020, 6m). 

  • Slated for performance in March 2021 at my graduate recital.

• Deep Space Voyage for Grade 1 Band (2020, 2.5m). Unperformed. 

• Ascent of an Ancient Empire for Grade 1 Band (2020, 2.5m). Unperformed. 

• Hullaballoo for Violin, Clarinet, Trumpet, and Piano (2019, 7m). Dedicated to Ryan Anthony. 

  • Selected for performance at the 2021 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Anaheim, CA as part of their New Works Recital. 

  • Scheduled for professional recording for streaming during the virtual 2021 ITG Conference, with Kevin Finamore, longtime colleague of Ryan Anthony in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and SMU faculty. 

  • Scheduled for performance in March 2021 for my graduate recital. 

• Huapango de los Muertos for Symphony Orchestra (2019, 7m). 

  • Premiered by the Irving Symphony Orchestra, Feb. 22, 2020. 

  • Selected as one of 17 semi-finalists (among 131 entries) for the 4th Annual Call for Scores Composition Competition by the Tampa Bay Symphony Orchestra. 

  • Selected as a finalist for the 2020 Reno Pops Orchestra Composer's Night Competition.

• Shafts of Sunlight Through Stained Glass Windows for Antiphonal Brass & Percussion (2019, 4m).

  • Scheduled for performance in March 2021 for my graduate recital. 

• Rondo for Tuba and Piano (2019, 7m). Composed for my friend, tubist Abel Rios.

  • Awaiting premiere by Abel Rios. 

• Light the Torch, a fanfare for Brass Ensemble (2019, 3m). Unperformed. 

• Isabella Rhapsody for Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble (2019, 4.5m). Unperformed. 

• Huapango de los Muertos for Trombone and String Quartet (2019, 6.5m)

  • Commissioned by Dr. Bill Haugeberg of UTRGV.

  • Premiered by Dr. Bill Haugeberg at the 2019 International Trombone Festival. 

• Celestial Orbits: A Musical Palindrome for Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble (2019, 7m). 

  • Premiered Nov. 15, 2019 by the SMU Meadows Wind Ensemble. 

• Chakras: A Musical Journey of Enlightenment for Wind Quintet and Percussion (2019, 18m). Unperformed. 

• Metamorphosis: A Butterfly's Journey of Transformation for Clarinet, Trumpet, and String Quartet (2018, 9m). 

  • Commissioned by Dr. Cara Pollard and the Imbroglio Sextet.

  • Recorded by the Imbroglio Sextet in Spain in August 2019, and included in their album, Greetings from Gran Hostal el Chiscón. Awaiting premiere performance. 

• I Dream A World for SATB a cappella Choir (2014, 4m). Unperformed. 

• Short Film Score: LoveStruck (2011, approx. 6.5m of music). 

  • Recorded with live electric guitar, electric bass, drums, and violin, supplemented with samples. 

• Short Film Score: Swordsman (2011, approx. 12m of music). 

  • Recorded with live ethnic instruments (koto, shakuhachi, and shinobue), supplemented with samples. 

• Short Film Score: Malice (2011, approx. 5m of music). 

  • Recorded with a live brass ensemble, supplemented with samples. 

• Short Film Score: Seminarista (2011, approx. 11m of music). 

  • Recorded with live chamber ensemble of Clarinet, Viola, Cello, and Piano, supplemented with samples. 

• Song: Rockstar Sales Supestar (2011, 3m).

  • Recorded in 2011, but needed to re-record vocals and guitars. Finished in 2019. Used all live instruments, including a 4-piece brass section.

• Song: Winds of Change (2011, 4m).

  • Recorded in 2011, but needed re-recording of vocals, guitars, and bass, which is slated for 2021. Used all live instruments, including an 8-piece Wind Ensemble.

• Variations on Noel Nouvelët for Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble (2010, 6.5m). Unperformed. 

• Fanfare for the Big Game for Symphonic Band (2010, 3m). Unperformed. 

• Heroes & Villains for Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble (2010, 7m). 

  • Won 2010 Penfield Music Commission Project Composition Contest and premiered by the Penfield High School Wind Ensemble in Rochester, NY that same year.

  • Won 2011 Cal-State Bakersfield Composition Competition and performed by the Cal-State Bakersfield community concert band in Bakersfield, CA that same year.

• Carol of the Bells for Symphony Orchestra (2010, 3m). Original Arrangement.

  • Occasionally rented through Janen Music Rentals. 

• Carol of the Bells for Symphonic Band (2010, 3m). Original Arrangement. 

  • Read but not performed. 

• Greensleeves for Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble (2010, 4m). Original Arrangement.

  • Read but not performed. 

• Cantata: A Christmas Spectacular for Brass Quintet, Percussion, Piano, and SATB Choir (2004, 15m). (No longer in my catalog.)

  • Premiered by the Emerald Street Brass Quintet and two local community choirs in December 2004 in Torrance, CA.

  • Performed by the El Camino College Choir in December 2005 in Los Angeles, CA.

• Three Kings Fantasy for Brass Band (2004, 4m).

  • Accepted for publication by BookWright Music in 2020.

• Isabella Rhapsody for Brass Band (2003, 4m).

  • Read by Dallas Brass Band in 2019, but not performed. 

• Variations on a French Carol for Brass Band (2002, 9m).

  • Read by the Salvation Army Southern Territorial Band, but not performed.

• Greensleeves for Brass Band (2002, 4m). Unperformed.

• Carol of the Bells for Brass Band (2002, 2.5m). 

  • Won 2005 Northrop International Brass Band Composition Competition in the "Arrangement" category and received a performance. 

• Fanfare for the Olympians for Brass Band (2002, 2m).

  • Accepted for publication by BookWright Music in 2020. 

• Orchestral Sketch #1 for Symphony Orchestra (2000, 7m). (No longer in my catalog.) This piece was later revised, adapted for Wind Band, and renamed to become Heroes & Villains.

  • Premiered by the MSU Symphony Orchestra in Spring 2000. 

• Documentary Score: Ozark's Voices (2000, approx. 45m of music).

  • Recorded with a live 12-piece Wind Ensemble. 

• Short Film Score: Stock Issues (2000, approx. 5m of music).

  • Recorded with a live 13-piece Chamber Orchestra. 

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REFERENCES:​

• Reverences available upon request.