Share with us some of your professional accomplishments.

Early in my career I joined the Saturday Brass Quintet which fulfilled many of my goals as an aspiring player. We were able to tour the country for 15 years performing in and exploring all of the lower 48 states. It was an ambitious group and eventually we achieved a high level of performance. We competed in many chamber competitions winning the 1990 Naumburg Chamber Music award and the Artist International chamber music award. We commissioned many composers to write for us including Richard Danielpour, Aaron Kernis, Arvo Part, John Harbison, Stephen Paulus, Ned Rorem and many others. The quintet was in residence at the Manhattan School of Music for five years and we led master classes in several cities in the country.  

 

Ever since arriving in NYC, I’ve worked as a freelance trumpeter playing on many Broadway and off-Broadway shows, substituting with the NY Philharmonic, recording commercials, playing for choral organizations, ballet/dance companies, contemporary musics groups, chamber concerts, orchestras, backing up rock and pop acts, etc.  Presently I am principal trumpet with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Opera Saratoga and the NY Gilbert and Sullivan Players.  

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I’ve been teaching trumpet and conducting the Wind Ensemble at the Music Advancement Program of the Juilliard School since 1997 and also teach trumpet at Mannes Prep. My travels have led me to teach all over the NYC area in group classes, privately and in master class settings. 

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What excites you about Luzerne Music Center?

I am very excited about the upcoming summer at Luzerne Music Center. It will be my first summer working with the LMC students and faculty in the most beautiful Adirondacks. It is a great environment to focus on performing, learning your instrument, exploring ensemble skills and enjoying the surroundings and each other. I am looking forward to listening to performances with and by the students, supporting them in their quest for excellence. 

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

Trumpet students will focus on fundamentals of brass playing, learning new repertoire and a study of ensemble pieces. Fundamentals include warm up, tone production, flexibility, range, breathing, dynamic control, etc. The goal is to find and develop the player’s voice on the the trumpet. Appropriate solo and method repertoire will be offered and explored. I hope to challenge campers to expand their technical and musical abilities in their course of study. I look forward to working with them on their ensemble pieces solo, orchestral and chamber.