My music

I have a fairly extensive music background, and would say my main instrument is piano although I play others. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition and a Master’s Degree in Music Education, but my philosophy on music may differ from a lot of people. I think music is something that can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of ability, and our focus should be on personal growth, emotional response, and overall enjoyment in lieu of perfection. In a nutshell, play something because you enjoy it, play from the heart, and celebrate any achievement you make. We listen to music because we are happy, angry, or whatever the flavor of the day is- performing music is no different. Find something that relates to you and play it the best you can. Maybe you play fewer notes or slow down on the tough parts- there’s no shame in that. Ever played when you’re sad? Losing your composure halfway through and stopping may seem counterproductive- but wow that’s an intense emotional release. Sometimes' that’s all you need to get yourself back on track during a rough week :) Don’t be ashamed of your playing, be proud of what you’re doing.

~Click on images to purchase~

Piano Collections

I currently have two piano collections available for purchase through Barnes and Noble (no other books on B&N are actually by me, I just have a popular name). All the pieces are in the intermediate to advanced intermediate range, and are written with the mindset that most of us play music for enjoyment, not formal performance. If you don’t want to purchase the entire book, individual pieces are also available on sheetmusicplus.com and sheetmusicdirect.com.

I don’t write much music for large ensembles, but I do have one piece available for beginning strings that made the J.W. Pepper Editor’s Choice list the first year it was released. I have a few other works written and I will add them as I get them uploaded for publication.

String Orchestra

My Process

My writing process might be a bit different than others, but I’ve learned to accept that doing things differently isn’t always a bad thing. I usually start with a title to kickstart things, and rarely have a definitive goal or ending in mind. I’ve learned that my compositions are ever-evolving- making too many decisions up front stifles their final form.

I work mainly off of imagery, creating sounds that remind me of different things. Sometimes they are functional figures and sometimes not, but all relate to the theme and that’s what makes them cohesive. I spend a lot of time choosing notes based on resonance to get the exact sound for the mood I want to convey. If i had to categorize my pieces, I would say they would most likely resemble soundscapes or tone poems.

There are many ways to compose, and everyone’s strengths lie in different areas. Again, the most important thing to remember is that you are creating something, and with each creation you continue to evolve your own idea of perfection. Keep at it!