Education
Doctor of Musical Arts (in progress), Wind Conducting — University of Houston
Master of Music (2019), Wind Conducting — University of Houston
Bachelor of Music (2013), Composition and Music Education, summa cum laude — West Texas A&M University
Teaching Experience
Teaching Fellow (2017–2019, 2023–present)
University of Houston — Houston, Texas
- Music Theory Department
- Instructor of Record
- Aural Skills I
- Spring 2024
- Spring 2019
- Spring 2018
- Aural Skills II
- Summer 2019
- Summer 2018
- Fundamentals of Music
- Fall 2024
- Music Theory I
- Spring 2024
- Spring 2019
- Spring 2018
- Music Theory II
- Summer 2019
- Summer 2018
- Rudiments of Theory
- Fall 2023
- Fall 2019
- Fall 2018
- Aural Skills I
- Instructional Assistant
- Large Forms (Fall 2017)
- Instructor of Record
- Band Department
- Teaching Assistant, University Bands
- Assist with rehearsals and conduct performances with the University of Houston Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Symphonic Band
- Assist with Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band rehearsals and performances
- Assist with administrative aspects of the University of Houston band program including rehearsal setup, concert programs, maintenance of music library, etc.
- Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate Conducting
- Assist with undergraduate conducting courses and develop course materials such as transposition quizzes, handouts, and exams
- Lead independent lectures on topics related to transposition, music theory, intonation tendencies, arranging, etc.
- Teaching Assistant, University Bands
Assistant Band Director (2020–2023)
Pearland Independent School District
Berry Miller Junior High — Pearland, Texas
- Teaching responsibilities
- Non-Varsity Band (CCC), Sub Non-Varsity Band (CCC)
- Beginner Band
- Flute
- Trumpet
- Horn
- Assist with Varsity Band (CCC)
- Awards
- Sweepstakes, UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation (2021, 2022, 2023)
- Best-In-Class, Shadow Creek Showcase of Sound (2022)
Assistant Band Director (2015–2017)
Alvin Independent School District
Manvel Junior High — Manvel, Texas
- Teaching responsibilities
- Non-Varsity Band (CC, CCC)
- Beginner Band
- Double Reeds
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Horn
- Low Brass
- Assist with Varsity Band (CC, CCC)
- Awards
- Sweepstakes, UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation (2016, 2017)
Director of Bands (2014–2015)
Galveston Independent School District
Austin Middle School — Galveston, Texas
- Teaching responsibilities
- Varsity Band (CC)
- Intermediate Band (6th grade)
- Beginner Band (5th grade)
- Woodwinds
- Brass
- Awards
- Superior (Division I) Rating in Sight Reading, UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation (2015)
Honors and Awards
- (2017) Honors Composition Recital, University of Houston — A Mighty Fortress
- (2016) West Texas A&M University Composer’s Initiative, Winner — Beyond the Event HorizonPremiere by Jacomo Bairos and the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra
- (2014) Hong Kong Band Directors Association Composition Contest, Winner — A Modal PortraitAsian premiere by Luis Serrano Alarcón and the Hong Kong Band Directors Wind Orchestra
- (2010) 3rd Annual Royal L. Brantley Composition Contest, 2nd Place — Setting for Sonnet 75
Commissions
- (2021) Aaron Brown and the Dawson High School Wind Ensemble, Molto Allegro from Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550, arranged for woodwind ensemble
- (2018) Houston Grand Opera Association, Inc., Harmony of Trees for soprano and baritone
- (2017) Kyle Norman and the League City United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir, A Joyous Prelude for concert band
- (2017) Eddie Vandewalker and the Abiding Grace Lutheran Church Sanctuary Choir, A Mighty Fortress for SATB chorus
- (2016) Mary Santarelli and the 2017 Association of Texas Small School Bands Region 13 Junior High Wind Ensemble, An Iberian Fanfare for concert band
- (2013) William Takacs and the West Texas A&M University Trumpet Ensemble, Overture to the Bartered Bride, arranged for trumpet ensemble
- (2012) Rai Morales and the West Texas A&M University Trombone Choir, Fanfare for Paul
- (2011) Guglielmo Manfredi and the West Texas A&M University Brass Choir, Invisible for brass ensemble
- (2009) Kristopher Walls and the Jal Elementary Honor Band, Echo for concert band
Guest Lectures and Presentations
- (04/05/2021) Guest Speaker, Low Brass Methods, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales NM
- (11/24/2020) Guest Speaker, High Brass Methods, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales NM
- (08/12/2020) Presentation of SmartMusic software to band directors, Pearland Independent School District, Pearland, TX
- (04/12/2018) Presentation of Kaija Saariaho’s Du cristal to the composition studio, University of Houston, Houston, TX
- (04/10/2018) Guest Lecture, “Fugue”, Music Appreciation, University of Houston, Houston, TX
- (02/28/2018) Guest Lecture, “Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 in D major, op. 36, mvt. IV”, Large Forms, University of Houston
- (11/10/2017) Presentation at the Graduate Research and Scholarship Projects Day, “How Composers Use Structural Processes in Music”
- (09/07/2017) Presentation of my music to the composition studio, University of Houston, Houston, TX
- (09/16/2016) Presentation of Beyond the Event Horizon to the composition studio, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX
- (03/02/2012) Presentation of Paul Hindemith’s The Craft of Musical Composition to the composition studio, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX
Guest Conductor
- (10/9/2023) University of Wisconsin-Superior 2023 Tri-State Honor Band Festival, Superior, WI
Adjudicator
- (4/21/2024) Symphony North of Houston 2023–2024 Young Artist Competition
Clinics & Masterclasses
- (7/26/2023–08/10/2023) Mellophone and horn masterclasses, Dickinson High School Band, Dickinson, TX
- (11/1/2017) Guest composer, Berry Miller Junior High Honors Band, Pearland, TX
- (8/7/2017–8/10/2017) Bassoon masterclasses, Berry Miller Junior High Band, Pearland, TX
- (1/21/2017) Guest composer, 2017 Association of Texas Small School Bands Region 13 Junior High Wind Ensemble
- (10/5/2016) Guest composer, Berry Miller Junior High Honors Band, Pearland, TX
- (5/17/2016) Guest composer, Berry Miller Junior High Honors Band, Pearland, TX
Conductor Repertoire List
Chamber
- Austin Brake, Diabolus in musica
- Austin Brake, Fantasy on the Eve of a Summer Solstice
- Antonín Dvořák, “Largo from the New World Symphony” from Classics for Brass Quintet, arr. by Gary D. Ziek
- Patrick Glenn Harper, Excursion for Brass Ensemble
- W. Francis McBeth, Chant and Jubilo (Arr. by Clarence E. Barber)
- John Philip Sousa, “The Thunderer” from Classics for Brass Quintet, arr. by Gary D. Ziek
Orchestra
- Robert Schumann, Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54
Wind Ensemble
- Kenneth J. Alford, Voice of the Guns
- Austin Brake, An Iberian Fanfare
- Austin Brake, Echo
- Austin Brake, Regalis
- Austin Brake, Vojaĝo
- Aric Branchfield, Odyssey
- Stephen Bulla, Legend of Knife River
- Normal Dello Joio, Variants on a Mediaeval Tune
- Joseph Eidson, The Haunted Carousel
- Lisa Galvin, Christmas Around the Band Room
- Gary Gazlay, Fortis
- Percy Grainger, Mock Morris (Arr. by Merlin Patterson)
- Rob Grice, Pinnacle
- John Higgins, American Spirit March
- Michael Kamuf, Great Beginnings
- Anne McGinty, Sea Song Trilogy
- Anne McGinty, The Red Balloon
- Richard Meyer, Pablo!
- Thomas Morley, Alman: Renaissance Dance (Arr. by Chip De Stefano)
- John O’Reilly, A Holiday Processional
- Bruce Pearson, Crown Point March
- William Owens, Egyptique
- Michael Praetorius, Lo, How a Rose (Arr. by Mark Williams)
- Matthew R. Putnam: Acropolis
- Alfred Reed, A Jubilant Overture
- Alfred Reed, The Hounds of Spring
- Robert Sheldon, Big Sky Round-up
- Robert Sheldon, Looking Up!
- Robert Sheldon, Pevensey Castle
- Robert W. Smith, Dance Celebration
- John Philip Sousa, The Black Horse Troop
- Michael Story, Annunciation
- Michael Story, Plaza de Toros
- Michael Story, Sketches of Canada
- James Swearingen, March for Freedom
- James Swearingen, We, the People
- Johnnie Vinson, The Brandenburg Gate
- Mark Williams, Elizabethan Dance
- Mark Williams, North Pole Sleigh Ride
Compositions
Orchestra
- Beyond the Event Horizon (2014) — 3 min
- 2222/4331/timp+3/pn/ strings
- Winner, West Texas A&M University Composers Initiative
- Premiered by Jacomo Bairos and the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra
- 2222/4331/timp+3/pn/ strings
Wind Ensemble
- A Modal Portrait (2013) — 9 min
- 32424/34311/timp+5
- Winner, 2014 Hong Kong Band Directors Association Composition Contest
- Asian premiere by Luis Serrano Alarcón and the Hong Kong Band Directors Association Wind Orchestra in Hong Kong, China
- 32424/34311/timp+5
Chorus
- A Mighty Fortress (2017) — 3 min
- SATB, piano
- Commissioned by Eddie Vandewalker and the Abiding Grace Lutheran Church Sanctuary Choir
- SATB, piano
- A Joyous Prelude (2017) — 2 min
- SATB, piano, optional winds
- Commissioned by Kyle Norman and the League City United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir
- SATB, piano, optional winds
- Fair is My Love (2016) — 3 min
- TB, piano
- Setting for Sonnet 81 (2010) — 2 min
- SATB
Chamber
Solos
- Katharis (2010) — 4 min
- Alto saxophone
- Fantasy on the Eve of an Autumn Equinox (2009) — 6 min
- Piano
Duos
- Harmony of Trees (2018)
- Soprano and baritone
- Commissioned by the Houston Grand Opera Association, Inc.
- Soprano and baritone
- The Sea Wind (2016) — 5 min
- Soprano and piano
- Sonata (2014) — 12 min
- Bassoon and piano
- Prelude to a Winter Sojourn (2013) — 4 min
- Flute and piano
- Nocturne (2013) — 2 min
- Oboe and piano
- Five Sketches (2012) — 5 min
- Soprano and alto recorders
- Fantasy on the Eve of a Winter Solstice (2011) — 10 min
- Violin and piano
- Setting for Sonnet 75 (2009) — 4 min
- Tenor and piano
Quartets
- Fantasy on the Eve of a Summer Solstice (2011) — 10 min
- Mezzo-soprano, timpani, marimba, and percussion
- Quartet (2010) — 2 min
- Soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and baritone saxophone
Quintets
- Hexatonic Experiments (2011) — 13 min
- Brass quintet
- “That Which We Call a Rose” (2010) — 5 min
- Brass quintet
Octet
- The Eightfold Path (2013) — 4 min
- Bassoon octet
Nine or more performers
- Diabolus in musica (2012) — 9 min
- Piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon
- Fanfare for Paul (2012) — 2 min
- 6 trombones, 2 bass trombones, and percussion
- Invisible (2011) — 10 min
- 3 trumpets, 4 horns, 3 trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba
- Commissioned by Guglielmo Manfredi and the West Texas A&M University Brass Choir
- 3 trumpets, 4 horns, 3 trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba
- Beyond the Event Horizon (2010) — 3 min
- 12 horns
- Commissioned by Guglielmo Manfredi and the West Texas A&M University Horn Choir
- 12 horns
Concert Band
- Regalis (2021) — 2 min
- A Joyous Prelude (2017) — 2 min
- An Iberian Fanfare (2016) — 3 min
- Commissioned by Mary Santarelli and the 2017 Association of Texas Small School Bands Region 13 Junior High Wind Ensemble
- Vojaĝo II (2013) — 5 min
- Vojaĝo I (2013) — 3 min
- Echo (2009) — 2 min
- Commissioned by Kristopher Walls and the Jal Elementary Honor Band
Fixed Media
- Fuga electronica (2012) — 4 min
- Fantasy on the Eve of a Vernal Equinox (2010) — 6 min
Arrangements
- Molto Allegro from Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550 — 9 min
- Woodwind ensemble
- La Fille aux cheveux de lin — 2 min
- Brass quintet
- The Bartered Bride, Overture — 6 minutes
- Trumpet ensemble
Professional Affiliations
- American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers
- Society for Music Theory
- Texas Bandmasters Association
- Texas Music Educators Association
Honorary Memberships
- Pi Kappa Lambda