Born in Hutchison, Kansas in 1946, my family moved to California where I attended Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento. During this time I had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout California and the United States performing with the Sacramento Youth Band and the Northern California Demolay Show Band. I earned a music scholarship that provided for my attendance at the University of Nevada-Reno from which I graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education. In 1971, following a short period of student teaching at Reno High School, I was awarded a scholarship to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. It was there that I studied with Herb Palmeroy and the world renowned Carmine Carusso.
Based on my extensive experience in music education and performance, I have been involved with the nationally acclaimed Reno Jazz Festival since 1965 and served as an adjudicator since 1986. A professional, freelance musician for over 40 years, I am currently a member of The California Musical Theatre Orchestra, performing Broadway Shows at the Sacramento Community Center and Music Circus. In addition, I am currently a member of the Curved Aire Brass, helping to bring a high level of professional and artistic performance to the community, thus creating role models for thousands of young band musicians, educators and music connoisseurs.
Over the course of my 40 years of professional performing & teaching, I've given private trumpet lessons to students of all ages, from beginning to professional levels and continue to have a large student client base.
EDUCATION
University of Nevada, Reno
Bachelor of Science Degree, Music Education
Berklee School of Music, Boston Massachusetts
Advanced Studies
PRIVATE INSTRUCTORS
Russ Kline, Sacramento, California
Noel Smelser, Sacramento, California
Ray Katwica, Boston, Massachusetts / Berklee School of Music
Carmine Carusso, New York City, New York
Dennis Sandole, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
John Clyman, Los Angeles, California
Claude Gordon, Los Angeles, California
Bob Findley, Las Vegas, Nevada
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Current California Musical Theatre Orchestra (1990 to present) Performing Saramento
Community Theater and Music Circus Broadway Shows to include: West Side Story, Cats,
Crazy for You, Will Rogers Follies, Chicago, The Producers, Guys & Dolls, South Pacific............
Current San Francisco Theatre Circuit, Performing Broadway Shows to include:
Chicago and Miss Saigon
Current Reno – Tahoe Headliner Showrooms since 1965. Performing with the Brian Farnon
and John Carlton Orchestras for Headliner Stars to include: Burt Bacharach, Wayne Newton,
The Beach Boys, Cher, Natalie Cole, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis Jr., John Denver, Nancy Wilson,
Manhattan Transfer, Liza Minelli, Lou Rawls, Linda Ronstadt, Carol Burnette, The Pointer Sisters,
Dionne Warwick, Frank Sinatra, The Smothers Brothers, Sarah Vaughn & countless others.
Current Adjunct Teaching Staff, American River College, Sacramento Ca. - Applied Trumpet
Tim's Band Instruments, Sacramento Ca. Private Instruction – Trumpet
Sacramento Country Day School, Fair Oaks Ca. - Brass Instructor, Substitute Band Instructor & Coach
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Current Curved Aire Brass Quintet - Member
Reno Jazz Orchestra – Member & CD Recording
University of Nevada, Reno - Jazz Festival Adjudicator
Sacramento Country Day School – Summer Music Camp Instructor
International Trumpet Guild * – Member
* Organization publishing the newest methods of teaching ideas, trumpet mechanics and trumpet literature
Other Placer Brass - Member
California Wind Orchestra – Member
* * Orchestra Performances on the following Television Shows:
Burt Bacharach, The Perry Como Show, The Tony Orlando Show, Dionne Warwick Special,
Sammy Davis Jr. & Lou Rawls on The Jerry Lewis Show
REFERENCES
Dr. Bill Carmody, Professor / Sierra College
John Doolittle, Sacramento Area Musician / Teacher
Dr. Larry Engstrom, Professor / University of Nevada
Steve Perdicaris, Sacramento Philharmonic / Instructor U.O.P
Dr. Les Lehr, Professor/retired / American River College
Stan Lunetta, Contractor / Sacramento Community Center & Music Circus
Bob Ratcliff, Music Instructor / Sacramento Country Day School High School Program
Dan Ahlstrom, Music Instructor / Sacramento Country Day School Elementary School Program
(Phone Numbers furnished on request)