Awards/Competitions
1st Place, 2024 Northwest Regional Euphonium and Tuba Mock Orchestra Audition; 2nd Place, 2024 Northwest Regional Euphonium and Tuba in Solo Tuba Artist Division; Semi-Finalist, 2023 International Arnold Jacobs Tuba Mock Orchestra Competition; Semi-Finalist, 2022 Falcone International Festival Solo Competition
Appearances
Houston Symphony, substitute, 2025–present; Texas Music Festival, 2025; Utah Symphony and Opera, 2024–present; Baltimore Symphony, substitute, 2023–present; New World Symphony, substitute, 2023–26; Brevard Music Center, 2023, 2024; Seattle Symphony Orchestra, 2022–present; Seattle Opera, substitute, 2022–present; Academy of St. Martin in Fields, substitute, 2022
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
I’m fortunate to have a lot of mentors during my journey with the tuba, but one that stands out is Aubrey Foard, the tubist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. When I was a young musician in high school, he made extraordinary efforts to help me find good colleges and teachers to get in touch with despite not studying with him regularly, really helping me build a foundation to find success. In addition to helping during my time in high school, Aubrey has been an amazing mentor and friend through every stage of my career. I aspire to be someone like him who uses their position and abilities to openly give and be a positive force in the world of classical music.
What is the most memorable performance you ever had?
My most memorable performance was my first time playing second tuba in Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. This performance stood out to me since it felt like a culmination of years of hard work finally getting to be on stage for a “Masterworks” concert. In addition to the music being incredible, the orchestration created a situation where I could play a concert with my teacher, a rare occurrence for the tuba.
Do you have a favorite non-classical musician or band?
Two of my current favorite musicians at the moment are Thundercat and Ahmad Jamal!
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
I definitely would have ended up practicing law of some kind. My mom tells me I loved to argue and negotiate constantly as a child.
What is a surprising part of playing your instrument that you think most people don’t know?
The tuba can do more than “oom pa”! I really believe in the ability of tuba players to create subtle beauty especially in the context of the orchestra. The tuba is always called upon to enhance and support the melodies and colors of all the other instruments. It makes an incredible difference dynamically having the large brass instrument at the bottom supporting the entire orchestra.