Biography
I majored in music at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. In 2002, the Lawrence University Jazz Singers won the coveted Downbeat Magazine Award. I was a member of this group each of the four years that I attended Lawrence. I enjoyed writing several arrangements for this group both during my time at the school, and since my graduation. Also in 2002, I earned a B.M. in Music Theory/Composition with a jazz emphasis, graduated Magna Cum Laude, and was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society.
I moved to Eugene, OR, where I took a 2-year hiatus from academia, and started teaching at the Lesson Factory. Here, I organized quarterly recitals for the piano and voice students, and taught several group classes. I also taught summer camps, homeschool classes, and at area schools. Also during this time, I started my own jazz combo and performed weekly with this and other groups.
In 2004, I returned to school at the University of Oregon. Here, I earned my M.A. in Music Theory. My thesis, "Analysis of Maria Schneider's "Green Piece" provides an example of my scholaraly writing. During my time at the U of O, I was a graduate teaching fellow and taught aural skills, keyboard skills, and music theory. I graduated in June, 2007.
After taking some time to work at a residential eating disorder treatment facility, I have decided to return to gigging and teaching privately. Besides welcoming this kind of work, I am available to do copy work, transcriptions, arrangements, and acoustic or electronic compositions. Please check the music link on this website to view current performances and to hear my newest compositions.