Education
Doctor of Musical Arts (expected May 2027), Wind Conducting, minor in Music Theory — University of Houston
Master of Music (2019), Wind Conducting — University of Houston
Bachelor of Music (2013), Music Education and Composition, 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, off-sequence section (Spring 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- Aural Skills II (Summer 2018, 2019)
- Fundamentals of Music (Fall 2024)
- Large Forms (Fall 2026, two sections)
- Music Theory I, off-sequence section (Spring 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- Music Theory II (Summer 2018, 2019)
- Rudiments of Theory (Fall 2018, 2019, 2023, 2025)
Instructional Assistant
- Large Forms (Fall 2017)
Teaching Development
- Develop course syllabi, schedules, and assessment materials for undergraduate theory and aural skills courses
- Design instructional materials to support student learning
- Coordinate scope and sequence for parallel sections of theory and aural skills and provide informal mentoring to other teaching assistants
Band Department
Teaching Assistant, University Bands
- Assist with rehearsals and conduct performances with the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Symphonic Band
- Assist with Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band rehearsals and performances
- Assist with administrative aspects of the band program including rehearsal setup, concert programs, and music library maintenance
Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate Conducting
- Assist with undergraduate conducting courses
- Develop instructional materials (transposition quizzes, handouts, exams)
- Lead independent lectures on transposition, music theory, intonation tendencies, and arranging
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 and brass
Awards:
- Superior (Division I) Rating in Sight Reading, UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation (2015)
Conference Papers
“The Type 2 Sonata and Comic Narrative in Frank Ticheli’s ‘Apollo Unleashed.’” Paper presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Texas Society for Music Theory. Denton, Texas, February 27, 2026.
“Hindemith and the Type 2 Sonata.” Paper presented at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Texas Society for Music Theory. Waco, Texas, February 28, 2025.
Guest Lectures and Presentations
February 19, 2026 — Guest Lecture, “Strategies for Teaching Music Literacy,” Teaching Secondary School Music, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM
February 10, 2026 — Guest Speaker, “A Research Workflow Using Obsidian and Zotero,” Doctoral Research Seminar, University of Houston
April 5, 2021 — Guest Speaker, Low Brass Methods, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM
November 24, 2020 — Guest Speaker, High Brass Methods, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM
August 12, 2020 — Presentation of SmartMusic software, Pearland Independent School District, Pearland, TX
April 12, 2018 — Presentation on Kaija Saariaho’s Du cristal, University of Houston
April 10, 2018 — Guest Lecture, “Fugue,” Music Appreciation, University of Houston
February 28, 2018 — Guest Lecture, “Beethoven, Symphony No. 2 in D major, op. 36/iv,” Large Forms, University of Houston
November 10, 2017 — Graduate Research and Scholarship Projects Day
September 7, 2017 — Presentation of my music, University of Houston
September 16, 2016 — Presentation of Beyond the Event Horizon, West Texas A&M University
March 2, 2012 — Presentation on Hindemith, The Craft of Musical Composition
Honors and Awards
West Texas A&M University Composer’s Initiative, Winner (2016) — Beyond the Event Horizon; premiered by Jacomo Bairos and the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra
Hong Kong Band Directors Association Composition Contest, Winner (2014) — A Modal Portrait; Asian premiere by Luis Serrano Alarcón in Hong Kong
Honors Composition Recital, University of Houston (2017) — A Mighty Fortress
Royal L. Brantley Composition Contest, 2nd Place (2010) — Setting for Sonnet 75
Music Engraving
Bertagnolli, Paul. Edward MacDowell’s European Piano Music: The Forging of an American Composer. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2025.
Pollack, Howard. “Samuel Barber’s Canzonetta for Oboe and String Orchestra.” The Double Reed 44, no. 3 (2021): 54–62.
Commissions
Aaron Brown and the Dawson High School Wind Ensemble (2021) — Molto Allegro from Mozart, Symphony No. 40, arranged for woodwind ensemble
Houston Grand Opera Association, Inc. (2018) — Harmony of Trees for soprano and baritone
Kyle Norman and the League City United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir (2017) — A Joyous Prelude
Eddie Vandewalker and the Abiding Grace Lutheran Church Sanctuary Choir (2017) — A Mighty Fortress
Mary Santarelli and the ATSSB Region 13 Junior High Wind Ensemble (2016) — An Iberian Fanfare
William Takacs and the West Texas A&M University Trumpet Ensemble (2013) — Overture to The Bartered Bride, arranged
Rai Morales and the West Texas A&M University Trombone Choir (2012) — Fanfare for Paul
Guglielmo Manfredi and the West Texas A&M University Brass Choir (2011) — Invisible
Kristopher Walls and the Jal Elementary Honor Band (2009) — Echo
Guest Conductor
October 9, 2023 — University of Wisconsin–Superior Tri-State Honor Band Festival, Superior, WI
Adjudication
April 21, 2024 — Symphony North of Houston Young Artist Competition
Clinics and Masterclasses
July 26–August 10, 2023 — Mellophone and horn masterclasses, Dickinson High School Band
November 1, 2017 — Guest composer, Berry Miller Junior High Honors Band
August 7–10, 2017 — Bassoon masterclasses, Berry Miller Junior High Band
January 21, 2017 — Guest composer, ATSSB Region 13 Junior High Wind Ensemble
October 5, 2016 — Guest composer, Berry Miller Junior High Honors Band
May 17, 2016 — Guest composer, Berry Miller Junior High Honors Band
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