Share with us some of your professional accomplishments.

I have had the good fortune to participate in a wide range of performance experiences.  I have presented solo recitals, masterclasses, and concerto performances at festivals and on university and conservatory campuses in the USA and in Europe. I am an active chamber musician, performing with the Composers Slide Quartet (a trombone quartet dedicated to premiering new works) and with the Crossland/Moore trombone and piano duo (forthcoming recording of works by John Cage). I enjoy playing as a substitute with orchestras including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and various regional orchestras in the USA, Germany, and Switzerland. I often perform as an improviser in festivals and venues throughout the USA and Europe and have recorded with a number of world-renowned improvisers.

 

What excites you most about Luzerne Music Center?

2024 will be my first summer teaching at Luzerne Music Center. I have heard so much about LMC and I am anxious to have the opportunity to work with students and colleagues in an intensive way in such a beautiful and inspiring setting! I believe I have a lot to offer and can’t wait for the summer to get here!

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What can campers expect to learn while working with you this summer?

As a musician who loves to engage in a wide variety of musical styles and situations, I look forward to having the opportunity to share my experience with the campers. As a young musician, I struggled with a number of unfortunate playing habits and challenges I wanted to overcome. I was blessed to have several fantastic teachers over the years. Their collective wisdom and skill have not only shaped me into becoming a better musician, but have also inspired me to strive to be a nurturing and attentive teacher. 

Share with us some of your professional accomplishments.

I always wanted to work in a wide range of musical genres - orchestral, chamber music, jazz, pop/rock, etc. A short list of the variety of artists/groups with whom I’ve enjoyed working are Luciano Pavarotti, Royal Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Evanescence, Roger Daltry, Little River Band, the list goes on.

I taught at the University of the Arts for 11 years - one of the reasons I was asked to work at UArts was to bring strong classical sensibilities to jazz majors. This was rewarding as it is akin to what I value in my performing career - the ability to play starkly different genres with authenticity. I have also coached chamber music and orchestral sectionals for the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra for nearly 30 years.

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What excites you about Luzerne Music Center?

I always find it very rewarding working with young musicians who really want it. My first summer at a music festival (when I was a teenager) was such a huge moment for me as a human being - I found other people like me. I felt like I had a group where I belonged. To help young musicians as they experience this possibly for the first time in their lives is heartwarming. It’s full circle…

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What can campers expect to learn while working with you this summer?

To improve their instrumental technique? Yes, definitely. To utilize that technique to apply it musically? Absolutely. To understand that these two things are separate and that we have to choose to use them together? For sure. But more importantly, I want them to start to understand perspective that took me many years into my professional life to embrace - and that starts with not beating up oneself when one is struggling. To nurture ones own talent rather than shaming oneself when it doesn’t come easily. I want to help young musicians to start to learn to enjoy the process rather than look only for the result.