How old were you when you first started learning music?

It depends on where you count as the beginning, because before I got my hands on the saxophone, I was practicing Guitar Hero extensively around the age of 10. My more official start came at 12, when I joined band class in middle school. I started on the Euphonium and Tuba before picking up the saxophone a year later. Once I got to high school, I quit playing the tuba and focused solely on saxophone, woodwinds, and piano.

When did you first begin teaching music?

I believe I taught my first student when I was 16/17 years old. They were a great kid with lots of instruments in the house: a piano, drums, and saxophone.

What do you like most about teaching?

My favorite thing is seeing a student find excitement in learning music. Practicing was/is such an essential part of my life since I was in high school, and it’s advantageous to see younger students find that same passion. I also love teaching because it holds me accountable for knowing my stuff. I must continually improve and learn how to explain various concepts in different ways for diverse types of learners. It’s been so rewarding, and my students are huge inspirations to me.

What is your favorite type of music?

I have always deeply loved jazz music because it embodies freedom, social liberation, and unapologetic individuality. I also love folk music, classical music, salsa, pretty much anything, because good music is good music.

If you could give a quick tip to students, what would it be?

Be creative in your practice and find ways to make the mundane exciting for you! Whether it’s scales or long tones, you can practice them a million different ways, always to be challenged and push yourself to be better. I love to practice my scales in any intervals I can (3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, etc), backwards and forwards, and at the same time, in chord voicings, two scales a tritone apart at the same time, anything you can think of. And long tones can be incredibly meditative and healing, especially with a cello drone in the background to keep you in tune.

Do you have a favorite piece?

I’m going to give a couple of answers because I can’t just name one: Blues by Walter Smith III on the album Live in Paris is one of my favorite recordings of all time. After all, it feels like you are watching a movie when you listen to it. The incredible storytelling that the musicians on that album achieve through improvisation blows my mind every time I hear it. One of my favorite songs to play is Geri Allen’s Unconditional Love - this song is a gem written by one of the most outstanding musicians ever to live, and if you haven’t heard Geri Allen play, you need to listen to her and learn her music! Also, anything by vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant will be the best thing you've ever heard.