About Me

I am a tuba player, educator, and emerging brass technician based in Knoxville, Tennessee, currently attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as a junior majoring in Tuba Performance with a minor in Industrial Design. My work is rooted in the belief that music is not only a technical discipline, but a deeply human practice - one shaped by relationships, craftsmanship, and shared purpose.

My primary instruments are the contrabass tuba and bass tuba, and I remain actively engaged as a performer across a wide range of ensembles. At the University of Tennessee, I perform with the Wind Ensemble, the university’s premier wind group, as well as the Volunteer Brass Quintet, UT’s highest-level student brass quintet. I am also a member of the University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra, where I continue to refine my orchestral musicianship. In addition to my concert work, I spent two years performing with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, an experience that strengthened both my musical endurance and sense of ensemble responsibility.

My passion for music began long before college, shaped by the community I found in my middle school band room. That space quickly became a home for my peers and I, a place where friendships formed, creativity flourished, and chamber ensembles emerged simply because we wanted to make music together. Those early experiences continue to inform my work today, reinforcing my belief that music thrives where people feel connected, challenged, and supported.

As an educator, I specialize in working with middle school and high school students, and I enjoy teaching musicians at every stage of development. Whether guiding a beginner through their first notes or helping an advanced student prepare for competitive auditions, my teaching is relationship-based, grounded in trust, communication, and mutual investment. I strive to help students see music not as an isolated skill, but as a way of developing discipline, curiosity, resilience, and confidence that carries into everyday life.

In addition to performance and teaching, I am deeply interested in brass instrument repair and design. This interest began when I brought my own instruments to a repair technician and became captivated by the creativity, precision, and problem-solving involved in the craft. That experience sparked a desire to understand instruments from the inside out. I am currently self-studying brass repair techniques and preparing to pursue a formal apprenticeship in 2027, viewing repair not only as a technical skill, but as an extension of musicianship and care for the people who rely on these instruments.

At its core, music represents a convergence of discipline, creativity, detailed analysis, and a love for people. Whether performing, teaching, or studying the craft behind the instrument itself, my goal is to contribute thoughtfully and meaningfully to the musical communities I love.