Bio

I am a composer, musician and teacher based in Colorado. I am originally from the United Kingdom, where I studied music at the University of Huddersfield and Royal Northern College of Music and music education at the University of Bristol. After specializing in saxophone performance at college, working as a gigging jazz saxophonist, then teaching in public schools in the UK and USA, I have returned to my first love of composing music.

While working as a performer and teacher, I became an experienced arranger of music for many different ensembles, both in classical and jazz disciplines. Since teaching in the US, I become more interested in singing, playing guitar and jazz piano and in developing my music technology expertise. I play saxophones, piano, guitar and sing. I compose instrumental music and songs and arrange a lot of other people’s music for my students. I use Sibelius and Ableton Live applications for composing and arranging music. My passion is for teaching real world music skills to students, informed by my classroom teaching experience of problem based learning, as well as working with professional musicians and integrating music technology into my teaching practice.

I’m returning to my composing practice with a wealth of musical expertise that feeds an eclectic style and a methodical approach. My most successful compositions and arrangements have been written for big bands, Latin jazz bands, mixed chamber ensembles, solo instruments and, of course, saxophone ensembles. Now I’m looking to develop his writing for strings, voices and electro-acoustic applications.

I am a supporter of music education programs that foster collaboration, problem solving and real creativity skills in their students. I am designing my own music curriculum based on the music fundamentals that all jazz musicians learn. I am also writing a stage musical to teach jazz concepts and conventions to a younger audience.

I am pursuing a DA in Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Colorado, focusing on jazz composition, saxophone and music education.