Education

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University of Nebraska-Kearney, NE (2016-2019)

• Masters of Music in Music Education

• Cumulative GPA: 4.0/4.0

 

Messiah College, Grantham, PA (2011-2013)

• Masters of Music in Conducting

• Cumulative GPA: 4.0/4.0

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Additional Coursework

• University of Nevada-Las Vegas (2020)

• University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA (2022-2023)

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The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (2006-2010)

• Bachelors Degree in Music Education

• Cumulative GPA: 3.99/4.0

• Graduated with Highest Distinction

 

Governor Mifflin High School, Shillington, PA (2002-2006)

 

Positions

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Orchestra Director, Derry Township School District; Hershey, PA (2019-current)

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• Responsible for performance and growth of two Hershey High School orchestras; an auditioned symphonic orchestra and a non-auditioned string orchestra; four concerts per year

• Responsible for performance and growth of three Hershey Middle School string orchestras, 7th-8th grade; two concerts per year

• Orchestra Director of student pit orchestra for annual school musical

• Organize and lead after school masterclasses for upcoming student audition preparation

• Students performed in DCMEA County, PMEA District, Region, and All-State Festivals

• District named “Best Communities for Music Education” by NAMM Foundation

• Organized trips to New York City, Florida and Chicago

 

Music Director/Conductor, York Youth Orchestra; York, PA (2019-current; assistant conductor, 2015- 2019)

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• Responsible for performance quality of ~90-member elite symphonic orchestra; three concerts per year

• Responsible for recruiting new members and retaining younger musicians

• Highlights include conducting internationally recognized Black Violins in Fall 2017; Dvorak Symphony No. 9 in Fall 2018; Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in Fall 2019; Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 in November 2020 under COVID-19 restrictions; Price Symphony No. 3  in May 2023

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Graduate-level Instructor, Messiah College; Grantham, PA (2019-current)

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• Low-String Pedagogy course instructor as part of Masters of Music in Orchestral Conducting degree program

• Responsible for recreating curriculum, gathering resources, and implementing instruction

 

Private cello lessons; Elizabethtown, PA (2006-current)

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• Private instruction of students in musical fundamentals, instrument technique, interpretation, intonation, rhythm and development of well-rounded musicianship

• Instruction of all beginning string instruments and advanced cello

• Private students have performed in PMEA All-State Orchestra

 

Orchestra Director, West Shore Area School District; Camp Hill, PA (2015-2019)

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• Responsible for performance and growth of Cedar Cliff High School orchestra and octet

• Responsible for performance and growth of three Allen Middle School orchestras

• Instrumental pit director for school musical

• Students performed in PMEA District, Region, All-State and NAfME All-Eastern festivals

• Increased middle school participation by 50% and high school participation by 30%

• District named “Best Communities for Music Education” by NAMM Foundation

• Received ACCLAIM Award for teaching in 2017-2018 school year

• Recipient of 2018 West Shore Foundation Innovation Grant

• Organized trips to Chicago, New York City and Orlando, FL

 

Orchestra/Choir Director, Spring Grove Area High School; Spring Grove, PA (2010-2015)

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• Responsible for performance and growth of string/symphonic orchestra and small chamber string ensembles, two large mixed choirs and select mixed choir

• Vocal and instrumental director for school musical

• Students performed in PMEA All-State and NAfME All-Eastern and All-National festivals

• Organized trips to Nashville, Cleveland, Williamsburg and Orlando, FL

• District named “Best Communities for Music Education” by NAMM Foundation

 

Music Director, Acts of Kindness Theatre Company; Hanover, PA (2014-2017)

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• Responsible for all music direction for annual summer stock theatre productions

 

Music Director and Conductor, Hanover Symphony Orchestra (2012-2015)

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• Responsible for selecting repertoire, rehearsing and conducting established community orchestra in 3-4 yearly concerts

• Responsible for recruitment and retention of symphony members

         

Conducting Experiences​

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• Cecil County (MD) All-County Orchestra; conductor (January 2021)

• Keystone String Fest (State College, PA); conductor (January 2019)

• DCMEA (Dauphin County, PA) Junior County Orchestra; conductor (January 2018)

• MEBC (Berks County, PA) Senior County Orchestra; conductor (January 2017)

• PMEA District 10 Sixth Grade String Festival; conductor (January 2017)

• Carroll County, MD Middle School All-County Orchestra; conductor (February 2016)

• Harford County, MD All-County Orchestra; conductor (January 2015)

• Berks County, PA 6th Grade String Fest; conductor (Spring 2014)

• York Youth Symphony Orchestra; full concert as interim conductor (Fall 2018)

• Theatre productions (various locations); vocal and/or orchestra director

 

Cello Performance Experiences​

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• Cherrywood String Ensembles (2013-present)

• Berks Sinfonietta (2016-present)

• Berks Opera Company (2014-2016)

• Central Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra; hired professional cellist (2009-current)

• Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra; cello assistant principal in 2009

• Heinz Hall; Pittsburgh, PA (Spring 2007)

• Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts; Philadelphia, PA (Spring 2009)

• Carnegie Hall; New York, NY (Spring 2010)

• Various freelance performances, pit orchestras, quartets, churches, etc.; cellist (2006-current)

 

Awards​

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• PADESTA Orchestra Director of the Year (2023)

• Grammy Music Educator of the Year Nominee (2021)

• Grammy Music Educator of the Year Nominee (2020)

• WSSD Acclaim Award for Teaching (2018)

• WSF Innovation Grant (2018)

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