Jazz & Contemporary Music Faculty Band

Education

• Berklee College of Music

Background

• WCM faculty member since 2005.
• Moved back to his roots in Milwaukee after 10 years of living in New York and touring and recording with the band ulu.
• Has played and recorded with many bands and artists, including De La Buena, Choir Fight, Jamie Breiwick, Steve Peplin, The Static Chicken, Tristan Royalty Squad, The Extra Crispy Brass Band, The Soul Trio, The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and Eric Bennet.

Education

• Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Background

• Joined the Conservatory faculty in January 2019.
• Teaches and plays various styles of music on the drum set, specializing in jazz.
• Plays with her modern jazz quartet in the Milwaukee area.
• Featured as an instructor for the Vic Firth video series “Inside the Teaching Studio” entitled How to Sound Like Elvin Jones.
• Has played with musicians such as Leni Stern, Ingrid Jensen, and Jamie Baum.
• Enjoys teaching the bucket drumming and world percussion classes through the Conservatory Connections program, as well as private percussion lessons.

Chair, Jazz & Contemporary Music

Education

• Bachelor of Music, Emphasis in Jazz Studies | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
• Performer’s Certificate for Senior Recital

Background

• WCM faculty member since 2016.
• Began playing drums at age eight and has been studying percussion since age nine.
• Co-leads tour-de-force fusion group, “Match Stick,” which released a self-titled album in 2019.
• Released his debut CD, “FLY!”, in 2014, which invites listeners on a musical journey of original compositions and out-of-the-box arrangements for 20-piece big band.
• Featured clinician for the 2015 Summerfest Big Band Camp, along with Curt Hanrahan and Mike Steinel.
• Conducted masterclasses at UW-Parkside, University of Indianapolis, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Park Tudor School, and Nicolet High School.
• Teaches percussion at several Milwaukee public schools through the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music’s Conservatory Connections program.

Education

• Bachelor Degree | Michigan State University
• Master Degree, Jazz Studies | Florida State University

Background

• Performs professionally in a wide variety of musical styles, as a leader and as a sideman, on upright bass and electric bass.
• Studied with world- renowned bassist, Rodney Whitaker while at Michigan State University.
• Studied classically with the Assistant Principal of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Robert Goodlett
• Taught alongside Robert Goodlett at the Quattro String Academy in Indianapolis, IN.
• Currently serves as the Bass Instructor at Eastern Illinois University.
• As a seasoned teacher, enjoys working with students with experience ranging from beginners to professionals.