1. Department

   Conservatory of Music

2. Hometown

   Medina, OH

3. Biography

   BMus in Music Theory, Ohio University, 1991

   MM in Trombone Performance, Indiana University, 1993

   Master of Legal Studies, Duke University, 1995

   PhD in Music, Theory Emphasis, University of Cincinnati, 2003

   12 years teaching at BW.

   Research focus on music theory pedagogy and the interaction of time in music.

   Co-author of Developing Musicianship through Aural Skills (Routledge, 2010).

Questions and answers

Why did you choose to teach at BW?

I love teaching undergraduates because I get to focus on the fundamentals--the things that every musician needs to be successful. These are the things that sustain professional musicians throughout the rest of their lives.

What characteristics distinguish BW from other colleges/universities?

Focus on individual development. Focus on undergraduate education. Opportunities for students to make their education their own.

How do you mentor students?

I do a lot of listening and helping students to realize that they already know more than they think they do.

What do students like best about your class?

When it's over! My classes tend to be tough, but fair. I often get notes from students after they graduate telling me that the skills they learned are the things that sustain them in their professional careers. They frequently tell me to keep being as tough as I was on them--our students will need it!

If you weren't teaching what would you be doing?

I'd probably be a carpenter or woodworker. Something where I get to build things with my hands.