I credit my musical interest to my family. In my lifetime, none were really professional musicians, but most were musically engaged either in the church, during college, or their childhood.

When fifth grade band came around, I knew I was going to be a part of it for the long run. I played clarinet for some years then switched to oboe toward the end of middle school. I’m still chipping away at it to this day. (I need to go practice).

During those formative years, I went down the rabbit hole of listening to recordings, thus strengthening my intense admiration of classical and jazz music. Music was a constant during my childhood, but if you asked me then, I thought I was going to be a professional soccer player turned doctor upon retirement from my athletic career. Late in high school, I began to realize that a career in music was a legitimate path. I then committed to it fully. All I needed was the validation that someone like me could lead through classical music. I’ll be honest, some people have tried to diminish that validation, but I am entering a space of no longer needing it from others— I’ve given it to myself. I am committed to empowering others through art.

My eyes were, and are, always glued to the conductor, studying and (oftentimes) appreciating their ability and commitment to shaping sound and bringing notation to life. My playing informs my conducting and my conducting informs my playing. When standing before an ensemble, I aim to lead from a place of empathy for each musician, as a person and as an instrumentalist.

I am still learning and developing my craft. I guess I always will be, just like anyone else. I am grateful for the places music and I have been, and I look forward to where we’ll go.