Here are some projects and opportunities that I’ve have been involved with in the past. If you want an additional list of my activities and educational opportunities, you can see my resume and recordings on my about page.
I have stopped posting here but you can keep up with my most recent projects and activities on Facebook.
06.02.2021
TBTYS was a great success!
We had 8 students perform them for their family and friends. Not only did they rock, but we also had some alumni perform as well. My favorite part of the event was having community member show up and support in so many ways! Mark from Yellow Cab Tavern was a generous host for the event, Steve from Family Dynamics offered ongoing scholarship monies for future students, and so many friends and new friends offered their awe and support that an event like this existed in Dayton. Heck yea!
We will eventually have a website to host all of the information, pictures, and performance videos, but for right now, here are the official 2021 TBTYS show poster and their show.
04.27.2021
Talking ‘Bout the Young Sound Promo is out! Hyped to work with young musicians at Yellow Cab Tavern and give them an authentic performance experience at one of my FAVORITE venues and spots in Dayton.
02.22.2021
After talking with a few wonderful humans about my songs and working with one particularly tech-savy sound nerd, I made a decision to try and record my own album!
I have posted my reasoning on social media but essentially I came to the conclusion that life is what you make it. So, what do you want to make? Why not make whatever you want and enjoy the time you have? So I’m starting the recording process for ANDY. If you’re interested in keeping up with the project, you can find recordings and related content here:
12.20.2020
I was asked to play bassoon as an alumni for the WSU sleigh ride recording by Director of Bands, Dr. Shelley Jagow. This is a different tempo and style then I was used to! It was a great opportunity to challenge my muscle memory.
09.02.2020
I was asked by Dr. Jim Daughters to create an introductory video for bassoon for beginning students and beginning band directors. It was a great chance to remind myself about how hard it can be for beginner to learn all the ins and outs of an instrument. Here is a link to Dr. Daughter’s website and below is the video:
06.11.20
I have performed with my friend Kyleen Downes on Bass for a few years before deciding that I need to take a step back and focus on my educational goals. It was a blast to help her release her first album, Maybe, Sometimes, perform around the Dayton area, and record the next two albums ( Friends and Come On Sit Down). I was so bummed when Covid-19 canceled her most recent release but was excited to hear her show off her loop pedal prowess. Here is her latest album release video on Facebook of “Come On Sit Down”. Here is where you can buy her music if you are so inclined.
I’ve included a link to her latest album below! If you need a recommendation, “In The Dark” is my personal favorite and “Give up the Ghost” is always a hit!
https://kyleendownes.bandcamp.com/album/come-on-sit-down
05.05.20
It was hard for me, on this day, to present the last performance of the Urbana University Performing Arts. I spent almost 3 years at this university learning the ropes, finding connections, and developing a relationship with students and the community. I spent so much of my soul trying to breath life into this program that when the announcement came that the university would close to financial insecurity from Covid-19, I was crushed… but the show must go on.
For the first time ever, these students record themselves to click-tracks and submitted videos and recordings of themselves performing. I was so proud of how hard they worked in spite of the sudden ending to the university and the isolation of quarantine.
I created an interactive pdf that allowed the audience to click through the performances of the students. You can listen find video there on on this playlist.
04.09.2020
Elated to be able to announce that I was a 2020 recipient of the Mike Moss Conducting Study Grant! I will be unable to take advantage of this grant until Covid-19 is settled but rewarded at the prospect of being afforded an opportunities in the near future!
If you’ve not heard of this study grant or if you’d like to apply for this opportunity, you can find more information here.
02.21.20
It was a fantastic joy to go to the very first WSU Tri-State Honor Band Clinic as an educator. It is amazing to watch this event change and adapt to involve the community and it’s educators even more. I also won a drawing for a new baton!
01.28.20
This is the weekend Fillmore Wind Band had the opportunity to perform at OMEA with Frank Tichelli and Robert Sheldon. It was great to work with these two drastically different composers. Just weeks before we celebrated at our Annual Christmas Spectacular with the Emmy Award Winner Nancy James.
I volunteered to participate as point person to get everything organized and prepped on this day. It was stressful but rewarding to see how hard everyone worked.
What a blast this past month has been!
09.07.19
I’ve played with John and Kyleen in a group called Elenore + the Elephant for a few years. I love this group and the energy we get from playing with each other, but on this day we played our last show for while as we all pursue different directions. There are murmurs of a reunion performance… maybe the future will bring us back together!
If you’re curious, here’s a few numbers from the younger days on youtube.
07.20.19
I LOVED playing at Levitt Pavilion. It is an amazing program and group of people. If you’ve never heard of them, here is more information about how they came to be and their mission, and here is their schedule in Dayton. I cannot stress enough how amazing they are for creating free, community oriented, performance space here in Dayton, OH.
Here is a snippet from our show!
04.01.19
WindFest! has been a great tradition with Fillmore Wind Band. I love seeing all of the hard working local high school programs show off their talent. Here’s a sampling of all the tunes that we played.
I will be adding more details of events or opportunities as they happen – if you are curious to know more or just want to say hi, you can find me on social media or send an email!