aboutme

About Me, More In Depth

TRUMPET:

I began playing the trumpet when I was 7 years old (1988). Both my parents played trumpet and mellophone and that got me interested at a very young age. I started taking lessons from Dan Farrell (current Program Coordinator of the Phantom Regiment) in 1990. From then on I have studied under Tom Asher (Trumpet, Rockford Symphony Orchestra), Mark Ponzo (Professor of Trumpet, Northern Illinois University), Marcus Goddard (Grad student under Professor of Trumpet John Rommel, Indiana University), the late Larry Wiseman (former Professor of Trumpet, DePauw University and former Lead Trumpet, Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra in Washington, D.C.), Peter Bond (Trumpet, New York Metropolitan Opera), and now Dr.Grant Peters (Professor of Trumpet, Southwest Missouri State University).

DRUM & BUGLE CORPS:

Both of my parents, aunt, and uncle marched in the Phantom Regiment during the 60's and 70's. My grandfather was the corps director in the late 70's. I was literally born into drum corps and the Phantom Regiment. I had wanted to march ever since I can remember. I finally decided to start marching in 1992 at the age of 11 in the Phantom Regiment Cadets (formerly the Phantom Legion and folded after 1999). I marched there from 1992-1994. I then moved on to the Pioneer out of Milwaukee, WI from 1995-1997. I then took a season off of "drum corps" and performed with the elite Star of Indiana Brass Theater in Branson, MO at The Grand Palace Theater in 1998. I concluded my marching years with the Phantom Regiment in 1999 at age 18. Starting in 2002/2003 I became the Assistant Tour Director for the Phantom Regiment. My future with the Phantom Regiment continues to stay strong. You can Follow the Phantom Regiment this summer at Phantom Regiment and see their daily placement at 2004 DCI Scores.

SCHOOL:

I graduated from Bloomington High School North in 1999. Began attending DePauw University the Fall of 1999-Spring 2001 under a music performance scholarship seeking a degree in Music Education. After Spring 2001 I took some time off of school. Reasons being money and I definitely needed a break. I immediately auditioned for BLAST! (see Blast! II: Shockwave). I resumed school Spring 2003 at Indiana University for one semester. I quickly found that IU wasn't for me. After some heavy convincing from some peers in Springfield, MO I applied and auditioned for Southwest Missouri State University where I have attended from Fall 2003-present on a music performance scholarship seeking a degree in Music Education.

        BLAST!/ SHOCKWAVE:

After leaving DePauw University in Fall 2001 I immediately auditioned for Blast!. Soon after I was notified that I was accepted. I remained On-Call for just about 1 year when I got a phone call from the Brass Manager. I was to move to Orlando, FL on May 15, 2002 to be part of the Disney Cast of the brand new production Blast! II: Shockwave! I performed at Disney's EPCOT in the American Garden's Theater until the end of August 2002. Those 4 months were the highlight of my musical career. (See Pictures)

                                   NEWS!!

I have been hired into the Blast! Japan touring cast! And will be embarking on a Japan Tour starting in August 2005! Check out: www.blasttheshow.com and click on Touring Shows and then Venues & Tickets to see where I will be! (See Blast! Japan 2005)

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