Biography

An instrumental music educator for over 20 years, I currently teach band at South Valley Jr. High School in Gilbert, Arizona. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Orchestral Trumpet Performance and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Music Education from Arizona State University. Following a year as a graduate assistant for the marching band at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I earned a Master of Orchestral Performance degree from the U.S. International University in San Diego, CA. I served two terms as Vice-President of the Arizona Association for Jazz Education. More recently, I renewed my National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certificate and actively clinic/judge several band festivals each year. As a trumpet player, I performed with many ensembles including the San Diego Symphony, the Lincoln Symphony, and the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra. I was a member of The Groove Merchants (a local, 10-piece horn band) for 20 years and now play with Late Harvest Jazz (a light jazz group). Most of all, I am proud of my son, John, who is about to earn his Aeronautical Engineering degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ.

Academic Degrees

• M.M. in Orchestra Performance at the U.S. International University
• B.M. Trumpet Performance and Music Education at Arizona State University 
• Certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards