Education

Columbia University DMA in Composition • Boston University BM and MM in Composition

Teaching Statement

Teaching is an extension of my creative process, mirroring and integrating my diverse compositional interests. I have taught a range of university-level courses in composition, theory/analysis, and history in both the traditional and vernacular, as well as originating courses on The Beatles, History of Rock and Jazz, and Musical Theater. As experiential learning is the key to comprehension, I fashion hands-on projects for my students and encourage creativity and risk-taking, and that result in experiences they remember and enjoy. My goals are to support students’ interests and direction, while challenging them and expanding their horizons. I pride myself on my ability to engage with students and audiences, making complex topics both clear and comprehensible.

For more thoughts on teaching, take a look at these pages:

Positions and Engagements

Currently I teach composition at Catholic University.

I’ve been on faculty at the following institutions, colleges, and universities (full time position indicated in bold):

Georgetown University  • American University  • Stanford University Continuing Studies • Notre Dame de Namur University • Santa Clara University • Swarthmore College • Seton Hall University • Columbia University

I maintain a private studio where I teach the following:

Composition • song writing • theory/analysis • orchestration • counterpoint • history

In addition, I’m a frequent speaker at civic, arts, and charity events:

Philadelphia Orchestra and Baltimore Symphony/Levine Music Pre-concerts • Host of “And in closing…” Fairfax Symphony Post-concerts • Hudson River Museum  • UNAFF (United Nations Association Film Festival) • Bonnie J Addario Lung Cancer Foundation • The Washington Chorus/Italian Embassy

In addition to classroom teaching I give presentations and talks for general and specialized audiences on a variety of musical subjects including The Beatles, rock, musical theater, jazz, film score, and contemporary classical music.

For more detail see:  Curriculum Vitae