Music learning has been one of my great passions since I was a kid. I always had the most encouraging music teachers who helped me explore music from all angles. I begged my 4th grade teacher to let me play the tuba. As my teacher got to know me and learned how to motivate me, he challenged me to learn the entire trombone book before I would be allowed to play the tuba. I was hooked on music from that point forward. I loved practicing and setting goals with my teacher, I loved feeling like I was capable of difficult things, and I LOVED playing the tuba.

 

Throughout my teenage years, I learned to play piano, had a weekly gig as a church organist, and would regularly work on my teacher's farm in exchange for music lessons. I learned guitar by writing songs and making friends with guitar players who were better than me. Writing music was my passion, teaching helped me get better, and playing the tuba was my ticket into one of the best music schools around.

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At the Eastman School of Music, I studied music education and performance and will finished writing this bio later. I loved my time at Eastman and am super grateful for the experiences I had through my time there and since! mb