SKILLS:

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• Composer (Concert, Media, Theater)

• Arranger & Orchestrator (Classical, Jazz, Commercial)

• Trumpeter (Classical, Jazz, Commercial)

• Music Director & Band Leader

• Music Preparation

• Teaching

• Bilingual in English / Spanish

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EDUCATION:

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

• M.M. in Music Composition in progress at Southern Methodist University (2021).

• Studied composition with Dr. Robert Frank, the late Dr. Carolyn Bremer, Dr. Michael Murray, and Dr. John Prescott. 

• Studied trumpet with Dr. Neil Seipp, Dr. Grant Peters, and Adrian Griffin.

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COMMISSIONS, AWARDS, PREMIERES & OTHER HIGHLIGHTS (Concert Music):

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• 2020 - Composed Moon Dances, my third original composition for Symphony Orchestra, which will be read by the SMU Symphony in Fall 2020. 

• 2020 - Completed my first one-act musical theater opera, Waiting Room, which was workshopped by the SMU Opera Department, and slated for performance before the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled all performances. 

• 2019 - Selected as Composer in Residence for the Irving Symphony Orchestra for the 2019-2020 season, which premiered Huapango de los Muertos for Symphony Orchestra (my second original orchestral work) on Feb. 22, 2020.  

• 2019 - Celestial Orbits, a musical palindrome for Wind Ensemble, premiered by the SMU Meadows Wind Ensemble.

• 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..

• 2018 - Commissioned by Dr. Cara Pollard of Texas Christian University to compose Metamorphosis: A Butterfly's Journey of Transformation for the Imbroglio Sextet, which was recorded in Spain in August 2019, and slated to be premiered in 2020. 

• 2011 - Winner 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 - Winner 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 - Winner "Best Arrangement" 2005 Northrop International Brass Band Composition Competition in the "Arrangement" category for Carol of the Bells for Brass Band. Received public performance.

• 2000 - My first original work for symphony orchestra (at the time called Orchestral Sketch #1, but later revised and adapted for Wind Ensemble and renamed Heroes & Villains) is premiered by the Missouri State University Symphony. 

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MUSICAL EXPERIENCE (Overview):

 

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (2018-present)

• Active as a composer and arranger while finishing my M.M. in Composition from SMU.

• Composed a number of chamber works, works for wind ensemble and full symphony orchestra, and a one-act musical theater opera.

• Active as a freelance trumpeter performing many different styles in many different types of ensembles.

• Active teaching private trumpet lessons to students around the DFW metroplex.

 

Monterrey, Mexico (2015-2017)

• Performed regularly as a freelance professional trumpeter. 

• Started MonteJAZZ Vintage Bands offering a jazz combo, Dixieland band, second line band, jazz-pop combo, and swinging rock & roll band for private events.

• Wrote dozens of arrangements of jazz standards and pop songs for various combos. 

 

Life at Sea (2014)

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

• Composed I Dream A World and an early draft of Metamorphosis.

 

Monterrey, Mexico (2012-2013)

• Became more active as a freelance performer after several years away from the horn.

• Began playing jazz, a habit that continues. 

• Conducted a short-lived big band.​

 

​Los Angeles, CA (2001-2012)

• Worked as a freelance arranger, composer, and occasional performer.

• Composed a number of pieces for brass band and wind ensemble.

• ​Composed music for several independent short films.

• Worked on several musicals (never produced).

• Formed a short-lived British-style brass band, and a brass quintet

 

​Springfield, MO (1995-2000)

• Studied at Missouri State Unviersity. Trumpet & Composition.

• Performed in the university Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, as well as local freelance gigs.

• Conducted the local Salvation Army Brass Band for 1 year. 

• Composed a 7-minute orchestral piece that was later revised and adapted (and revised again) to become Heroes & Villains.

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San Antonio, TX

• Started my music career in beginning band in Texas Public Schools

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GOALS:

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• Remain active as a full-time professional composer, arranger, and performer.

• Create an extensive catalog of concert compositions (with emphasis on wind ensemble), have them professionally recorded, frequently performed, and be regularly commissioned to write more. 

• Earn a D.M.A. in Composition from a reputable university.

• Do my part to pass on my knowledge and experience to the next generation.