Awards/Competitions
Winner, Mostly Modern Concerto Competition
Appearances
The Syracuse Orchestra, Colorado College Music Festival, Mostly Modern Festival, Lawrence Chamber Music Festival
What is your earliest memory of classical music?
Participating in my mom’s Music Together classes as a toddler!
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
When I first started learning the trombone in elementary school, I was inspired to compose a short piece for my school band. My music teacher Ms. Strevig was very supportive of the idea. I handed her the piece and she looked it over, but we realized it would be too hard to put together for our Spring Concert.
On the day of the concert, after the band played our last piece, Ms. Strevig announced that she had a surprise. As me and my bandmates left the stage, she told the audience about my composition and that the elementary school band wasn’t able to put it together. Then, to my complete shock, she invited music teachers active and retired from throughout Baltimore County onto the stage, and they performed my piece! Her gesture of kindness and support gave me confidence in my musical abilities at a key developmental stage, and continues to have a profound impact on my philosophy as a music teacher today.
What made you decide to become a musician? Was there a particular performance or person that influenced your decision?
Since my mom is a former Music Together teacher and my uncle is a folk/experimental musician, the music career path was normalized to me at a young age.
I made the decision to become a musician in middle school. I had a fantastic trombone teacher, Monica Althouse, who saw my music potential and pushed me to reach it. Being homeschooled at the time allowed me to practice a lot at that age, and helped me realize my passion for playing the trombone.
What is your proudest achievement as a musician?
In high school, I conducted The Imperial March from Star Wars with the Peabody Wind Orchestra, and my grandmother traveled up to attend the performance. She was a passionate music lover, and I am so grateful that I was able to show her the musician I was becoming before she passed away.
Do you have a favorite non-classical musician or band?
So many! If I had to choose three: AMANAZ, Frankie Ruiz, and Teresa Teng.
What is the biggest challenge and/or surprise about playing in an orchestra?
For trombonists, orchestral playing is an art of patience and precision. The composer Felix Mendelssohn once remarked that “The trombone is too sacred for frequent use.” It’s a funny quote today, but for Mendelssohn and his contemporaries, it was a reality! Many composers from Bach to Brahms used trombones for one of two reasons: to support choirs (its original purpose), and/or for religious symbolism. Because of this, many trombone parts in Baroque, Classical, and early/mid-Romantic pieces are pretty sparse, relegated mostly to full choir movements or soft, beautiful chorales. As difficult as loud and exciting music can seem, waiting for long periods of time (sometimes for more than an hour!) to perform delicate, exposed passages is the hardest aspect of playing trombone in an orchestra.
What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
For beginning trombonists, learn to play your favorite songs! It’s a great way to get familiar with your instrument. Always have fun, and remember to use your slide lock!