After a few months into my graduate degree at Michigan State University, I approached the stage in the Max Fisher Hall in Detroit. It was my turn to have my first orchestra piece, County Cork, read by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Leonard Slatkin conducting. This event marked the first of many recent accomplishments as a composer. It confirmed that my decision to compose was right.
Before entering graduate school at MSU, I taught beginning orchestra for four years in Charlotte, NC. During this time, I administered two middle-school orchestra programs. Under my leadership, the size of the programs increased over 300% within two years. Throughout, I gleaned valuable life skills, which helped me enter my master’s program as a mature and focused student with a clear purpose. For reasons explained below, the next logical step in my career trajectory is to pursue a doctoral degree in composition.
At MSU, I have received many honors for my work. Soon after the reading by the DSO, I was one of six composers-in-residence selected for the Chamber Music Institute held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In 2011, I won the MSU honors composition competitions in both chamber music and orchestra categories; was awarded one of two fully funded assistantships to study composition at the Brevard Music Institute; and was invited to the soundSCAPE festival in Italy. At Brevard, I formed the itch ensemble, organized all of the new music concerts, and handled many logistical issues of the composition program. As an advocate of new music, I co-founded the scene&HEARD new music series and the “sixth species ensemble.” My music has been performed across the United States and I have received several commissions by established artists. I have accomplished all of these things while teaching music theory courses, supervising at a part-time job, and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
I am currently awaiting to hear back from schools. I am eager to see where this next chapter in my life takes me.
