Teacher
I've had a desire to learn and to teach for as long as I can remember. One of the happiest discoveries of my life was when I began teaching music at the high school level and I realized that I loved the life of a public school teacher. I firmly believe that teachers are public servants who need to be in touch with the communities which they serve, who need to establish high standards for their students, and who need to continually achieve personal mastery in their chosen teaching subject. Click here to view my teaching experience and background as listed in my current resume.
Musician
From the time my mother enrolled me in piano lessons at age 6, I've been hooked. As a percussionist, I have had the opportunity to perform in a variety of settings, from playing with world renowned percussion soloist Michael Burritt at the 2010 Utah Day of Percussion, to recording for the international television station of BYU-TV, and from marching at college football bowl games, to playing with the Utah Premiere Brass - Utah's only British Brass Band. As a conductor, I have studied with Dr. Donald Peterson and Dr. Kirt Saville at Brigham Young University, and am currently studying with Dr. Danh Pham and Dr. Matthew Aubin at Washington State University. As a composer and arranger, I am comfortable and experienced in writing and arranging for concert band, marching band, marching percussion (indoor and out), and percussion ensemble. My wind band transcription of Nathan Daughtrey's stunning percussion work, Legacies, is currently being published by C-Alan Publications, and my band setting of Wayfaring Stranger received its Asian Premiere on December 17th, 2014 by the Musashino Academy under the direction of Ray E. Cramer. I have been commissioned by leading programs throughout the Western United States, and am currently accepted commissions. Click Here to get in touch with me via the contact page.
Husband & Father
The greatest decision I ever made was to ask the gorgeous Jessica Bates out for ice cream. As a result, her name is now Jessica Nelson, and we have been blessed with three beautiful children, Lauren, William, and Michael. Family is the central motivation for everything I do in teaching and in music. Being a good husband and father is my constant pursuit and goal.