I studied music theory and composition at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where I worked with Frederick Bianchi, Jonathan Kramer, and Allen Otte. As an undergraduate, I explored determinate and indeterminate forms, extended techniques, and the boundaries between structure and spontaneity. My early influences included John Cage, Krzysztof Penderecki, György Ligeti, Herbert Brün, and George Crumb.

I continued my graduate studies in composition at the City University of New York (City College), studying with David Del Tredici and David Olan (Baruch College). During this time, I was also deeply influenced by the work of Edgard Varèse and Helmut Lachenmann.

While living in New York City, I co-founded "Groundwave", a new music collective that produced concerts and interdisciplinary “Musical Happenings” inspired by John Cage’s music circuses—collaborations that brought together composers, performers, and theatre artists in New York and Philadelphia.

Bookoctet is an entertaining, three-section work for eight players, ideal for introducing students to the style or for existing fans. Inspired by pieces like de Mey’s "Table Music" and Cage’s "Living Room Music," the composition uses over 50 books to generate all sounds—ripping, scraping, dropping, and reading. The first section is demanding, traditionally notated, and rhythmically specific. The slower second section focuses on sound experimentation (scraping covers, shaking books, and intentional destruction). The final section requires reading at various dynamic levels and culminates in a cacophonous conclusion of slammed books.

My percussion music: 

• Bookoctet

• Book Between Bookends, and 

• Patchwork are available at Media Press Music ...