current-projects

Post-Graduation

Wed, 02 Oct 2013 22:30:40 +0100

My last semester at Clemson went so well! Music directing 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was a blast, my PA 401 project actually turned out well, and I finally finished up that pesky ePortfolio.

Life post-graduation is tough, though. I'm almost completely financially independent, and the real world is not quite as forgiving as college was! From February to August 2014, I worked at Ingles. It was a solid job, but not exactly what I was hoping for in a part time job. I recently started working at the Seneca Library, though, and it's very pleasant. The scheduling is flexible and I should be able to pick up more piano gigs.

Currently I'm playing piano at my church, Crossgate, doing some work with the Seneca Middle School Chorus, and looking into other gigs as they'll fit into my schedule.

Last Semester!

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 03:17:53 +0100

I'm finishing up my last semester at Clemson! I'm still not completely sure what my plans after graduation are, but I'm sure something great will come my way.

So far this semester, I've music directed (my first time!) The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I was nervous at first, but everything went really well and I'm glad to have my first show music directing under my belt.

I'm also finishing up my senior project with my PA 401 group, working on my ePortfolio, and just trying to enjoy my last semester here.

Here's to whatever the future holds!

Junior Year

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:01:07 +0100

I'm approaching the end of my junior year at Clemson! What's happened since I last updated?

Clemson had a great football season, and the whole band went to the Orange Bowl. I loved being section leader and guiding my clarinets - we had a great section!

In January, the theatre department started rehearsal for Guys and Dolls. I was on hand as the rehearsal pianist, as well as piano in the orchestra. And get this - I got to be assistant music director! That should be great experience... I even led a rehearsal when Dr. Spede was out of town. The show was February 29-March 4, and as always, everyone did a fantastic job, I learned so much, and I am thrilled to have been a part of the production.

Yesterday was also a big day for me. I successfully put on my senior piano recital! I had about 50 people come out and support me, and I greatly appreciate that. I played a broad range of pieces from Scarlatti to Grieg to Khachaturian, and it all went pretty well. Special thanks to my piano professor, Dr. Li-Bleuel, and my family who traveled a long way and helped with the reception.

This summer, I'll be working with Housing Summer Programs at Clemson again, which I'm pleased about. It's a good job and will give me a chance to save up some money. The symphonic band is also going to London to play at some venues during the 2012 Summer Olympics. I am really excited about that - it should be an amazing trip!

Thanks for reading!

As You Like It, Arrangement, Summer!

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 05:06:15 +0100

Well, as always (since I don't update very often), a lot has happened since my last post!

As You Like It has finished up - I had a great experience, and made a lot of new friends. I feel closer to the people in my own department, and I definitely learned a ton about acting and how a straight play operates. I also got to try my hand at some composition and different instruments, like melodica! I'm very grateful for the opportunities I had to work with Jayce Tromsness and all the awesome people in the cast and crew.

I'm also putting the finishing touches on my arrangement of Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move." It's turned out way better than I expected, and I can't wait for Tiger Band to play it this fall, although I have to admit that I'm a little nervous. Hopefully it goes well!

That brings us to summer - I'm working with Clemson's Summer Housing Programs as a night hall attendant. I sit at the desk of a youth summer camp building from 11 pm - 7 am and basically make sure nothing goes wrong. I love the staff, and it's a pretty good job. I've also had a few gigs, including playing background music for a Clemson Class of '39 Social. Now that I've done that, I'll feel a lot more confident about taking other gigs like it.

Now I'm just looking ahead to the fall! I'm sure I'll be very busy - I've been selected clarinet section leader and assistant uniform manager for Tiger Band - lots of work to do before fall even starts! I am SO ready for football season to start already!

Jazz Combo and As You Like It!

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:23:24 +0100

Well, it's about halfway through spring semester. I'm taking more theory and aural skills, conducting, and carillon lessons, among other things this semester. For those of you that might not know, the carillon is the bells up in Tillman Hall. I'm working on an arrangement of "Stay Awake" and "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins for the carillon. I'm also taking an arranging class, so for that I'm working on a marching band arrangement of Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move." That's really cool for me, because I love Carole King's music.

I'm also putting together a jazz combo with some other people. We practiced a lot towards the beginning of the semester, but we're taking a little bit of a break now, because everyone is so busy. We'll probably start up again around the end of the semester, and we really want to do a lot over the summer.

Probably the biggest news is that I auditioned for Clemson's production of As You Like It. They were looking for musicians, but I'll have a couple of speaking lines, too, as a forester and Sir Oliver Martext. I'm really excited because I've never really been involved in a play or acted before. It will definitely be a new experience, and I'm hoping to learn a lot about theatre and what goes on behind the scenes.

Busy Semester!

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:54:31 +0100

Here I am, in the throes of college academics! I've had a very busy month, with lots of tests, presentations, and projects. In Performing Arts class, we had to do a mock grant proposal, and now we're starting to work towards doing mock interviews.

Academics isn't the only thing on my plate right now - Tiger Band is busy, busy, busy with home games and away trips. The CU Symphonic Band has a concert coming up, and in addition to playing clarinet, I'm playing piano for one of our songs. I'll also possibly be playing keyboard for a CU Symphony Orchestra concert in December.

In the meantime, I'm learning to play ukulele. A friend got me some books of fun 60's and Hawaiian music, so I'll be playing around with a new instrument the next few months. It's been an easy transition from guitar, but I could still be more comfortable with the instrument. It's so tiny!

Well, until next time - I hope you enjoy my site! Please check out my bio and resume!

Sophomore Year

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:05:10 +0100

Hello everyone!

I'm beginning my sophomore year with many goals. I want to get better grades, practice piano more, and be more social with the people in my major. Three weeks in, everything is going well.

My summer was spent shelving books at the Clemson University library, though I also played piano for my aunt's wedding in July. That will be good experience for later.

Most recently, I was asked to play piano for a performance that announced Clemson's Capital Campaign fundraiser. We reunited the cast of RENT to sing Seasons of Love, and the cast members did an acting section and movement piece that highlighted what the fundraiser was all about. Tiger Band and CU Singers also participated. The performance went off without a hitch, and you can check out clemson.edu for more information if you're interested.

Hopefully this year I'll have a lot of interesting updates and experiences to talk about on this blog. I also hope to have some video clips up soon!

Measure in Love

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:47:29 +0100

Well, many, many rehearsals, and four sold out performances later, RENT is over.

If you read the earlier entry, you know that I was the rehearsal pianist, working with the cast starting in January. I also played keyboard with the band.

I can honestly say that I have never been a part of something so huge and meaningful as this production was. I'd like to thank everyone involved, from the cast, the crew, the band, Dr. Charney, Dr. Goodstein, and anyone who helped make RENT possible. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I learned so much, both about productions, and about life.

Performing for 4,000 people has been an unforgettable experience. I can really only hope that any future productions I'm involved in can mean this much to me.

Thanks everyone!

Rent!

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:02:26 +0100

Well, the latest news is that I've survived my first semester of college! Only seven more to go...

I've been chosen to be the rehearsal pianist for Clemson's production of Rent. I'm pretty excited, because I'll get paid, get three credit hours, and this will be great experience for what I want to eventually end up doing. I'll also get to play keyboard two in the actual band, so I'll get to perform and really be part of the show. I've been looking at the music, and I'm excited to start rehearsals soon!

The production runs February 25th, 26th, and 27th at 8 pm and February 28th at 3 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. For more information or to buy tickets, check out the Brooks Center's website at http://www.clemson.edu/Brooks/index.php.

I hope to keep you updated on what I'm learning and how rehearsals are going!

Beginning a Website!

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:03:45 +0100

As a freshman Performing Arts major at Clemson University, I am required to make a website to showcase my portfolio. Over the next few months, I will be building this website. Hopefully it will come to include pictures, my biography and resume, general education requirements, current projects, and maybe even samples of my work.

A little bit about me: I attended Bellevue West High School in Bellevue, Nebraska, and was very involved in the music department, playing piano and clarinet, as well as singing. I plan to continue this involvement at Clemson. Look for my full biography and resume soon!