News & Updates

7.09.26 Looking at my news section makes me realize I should probably update it more than once a year… 2026/2027 goals! Just today I received notification that I’ve been invited to become a voting member of The Recording Academy (GRAMMY). Other standouts from this past year were seeing a few of my recent graduates get jobs (more on that soon), more performances with my colleagues Rachel Calloway and Ari Streisfeld of Duo Cortona at USC, a series of guest performances with my favorite reed quintet (Splinter Reeds), getting to perform with Rene Fleming in a TSO performance, an inaugural performance with the reboot of Trio Nebbia, and an uber successful 13th year of the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop with my colleagues in h2. I’m gearing up for my 14th season at the Cortona Sessions for New Music, and preparing for what’s going to be a very exciting year of teaching and performances. Some things to be announced in more detail very soon: upcoming tours with Trio Nebbia, performances with h2, and some other new projects and collaborations. More soon!

6.25.25 Another academic year is almost over, and it’s been quite a busy one. I will have had the good fortune to play three concerto performances with colleagues and students at FSU, and my students have been up to too many impressive things to be able to mention. Some highlights: my student Micah Cheng (MM 25) won the Frances Walton Competition in Seattle, my graduate quartet placed second at the Music Teacher’s National Association Chamber Music Competition, and our Saxophone Orchestra received an invitation to perform at the North American Saxophone Alliance Regional Conference. The first of my SEED Grant initiatives has also come to fruition with a recital at FSU for a new genre of saxophone, voice, and violin, and featuring two of the compositions commissioned through the grant. Saxophonist and composer Ingrid Laubrock wrote us a moving work entitled “Seit mich mein Engel nicht mehr bewacht” (Since my Angel no longer watches over me) set to text by Rainer Maria Rilke and dedicated to the memory of her father. Amadeus Regucera wrote another incredible trio called “In Empty” which was set to text by Korean-American poet Theresa Hak Kyung Cha. I extend my gratitude to my wonderful collaborators in Duo Cortona, Rachel Calloway and Ari Streisfeld for their dedication and impeccable artistry!

6.18.24 h2 quartet completed a recording project of a saxophone octet by Carter Pann at the legendary Electrical Audio studios in Chicago in early May—it was an incredible experience to be in that space, although it occurred during a period of deep mourning following the passing of the great Steve Albini. I also gave a masterclass for the saxophone studio at my alma mater, Northwestern University that was very special for me for obvious reasons. I found out a few weeks ago that I was a recipient of a Florida State University SEED Grant. I am elated to have received this award, as it will allow me a wealth of artistic activity over the next three years (and beyond)! I already have several of the commissioning projects in the works that this award will fund (more information soon!) and there will be a number of concert tours and recordings in the works as well. I look forward to sharing some of the amazing artists I’ll be working with in the very near future. Huge thanks to the Council on Research and Creativity at Florida State University for their support of my activities!