Teaching
University Teaching:
Adjunct Faculty, Millikin University, Fall 2008 to present
Teaching Assistant, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2004 to 2007
Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at Austin, 2003-2004
Teaching in the Community:
Faculty, Community Center for the Arts, Urbana, IL (c-4a.org), Fall 2009 to present
Faculty, School for Designing a Society in Urbana, IL, 2012
Teaching Junior High and High School Students:
Jazz Camp Educator and Administrator, Illinois Summer Youth Music (ISYM): 2005-to present.
Instructor, Millikin University Preparatory Department, Fall 2008 to present
Clinician, Lincoln-Way Central High School Jazz Festival, New Lenox, IL, 2010 and 2014
Clinician, for High School, University of Illinois East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP), 2007-2008
Clinician, for Western Illinois Jazz Festival, Macomb, IL, 2009
Instructor, University of Illinois Piano Laboratory Program, 2006-2008
Adjunct Faculty, Millikin University, Fall 2008 to present
- Music Theory and Ear Training: Developed courses that fulfills requirements while relating to contemporary music with which students are familiar
- Beginning Composition: Designed a music course that enables students to foster their creativity and develop a compositional process
- Composition lessons: Work with students privately on study and analysis of compositions, developing their composition process, guiding them through composing pieces, coaching the rehearsing and performance of their work
- Jazz/commercial Music Theory: Developed a course that explains contemporary music practices in traditional theoretic terms with an in-depth study of conventional jazz harmony and gives students an opportunity to arrange music for commercial ensembles
- Improvisational Styles: Developed a course that focuses simultaneously on a practical application of music theory and on ensemble performance skills that incorporate creative music making and deep listening skills
- Computers in Music: Developed a music technology course within the commercial music program that uses the practical application of sequencing and electronic notation software Garage Band, Finale and Logic Pro for creative music making projects
- Coaching Small Jazz Ensemble: Work closely with students at various levels on creating music collaboratively in a jazz context, both common-practice (1950s-1960s) and contemporary styles and help students in the preparation for regular off-campus performances.
- Directing Large Jazz Ensembles: Rehearse, choose material and program concerts
- Applied Jazz Piano lessons: Work with students privately on developing jazz piano skills, including study of exemplary musicians, creating practice methods and expanding harmonic, melodic and rhythmic vocabulary
- Private Improvisation Lessons: A more in depth study of improvisational practices in a one-on-one setting
- Private Jazz Arranging Lessons: A more detailed study and practice of small and large ensemble arranging in a one-on-one setting
- Advanced Improvisation Class: A more in depth study of jazz improvisation with more contemporary improvisational techniques
Teaching Assistant, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2004 to 2007
- Taught Jazz Keyboard classes
- Coached Small Jazz Ensembles
- Directed Jazz Band
- Taught Applied Jazz Piano lessons
- Assisted Improvisation classes
- Assisted Jazz Arranging classes
- Gave clinics for junior high and high school students
Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at Austin, 2003-2004
- Directed Small Jazz Ensembles
- Taught Beginning Improvisation class
- Assisted Jazz Appreciation courses
- Taught Applied Jazz Piano
- Assisted in preparation for a jazz festival
Teaching in the Community:
Faculty, Community Center for the Arts, Urbana, IL (c-4a.org), Fall 2009 to present
- Teaching piano
- Teaching accordion
- Teaching composition
- Teaching group classes
- Designing and implementing summer camps
- Directing ensembles
- Administrative work
- Planning and coordinator events
- Developing programs and curriculum
Faculty, School for Designing a Society in Urbana, IL, 2012
- Co-taught Collaborative Thinking and Spontaneous Composition with University of Illinois dance faculty Sandra Paola López
Teaching Junior High and High School Students:
Jazz Camp Educator and Administrator, Illinois Summer Youth Music (ISYM): 2005-to present.
- Coordinator of Jazz Camp for over 100 junior high and high school students
- Manage faculty
- Facilitate communication between administrative staff and faculty
- Administrative work
- Program and coordinate concerts for 10 ensembles
- Audition and placement procedures
- Teach Jazz Listening class
- Teach Improvisation class
- Give Piano Masterclasses
- Coaching ensembles
Instructor, Millikin University Preparatory Department, Fall 2008 to present
Clinician, Lincoln-Way Central High School Jazz Festival, New Lenox, IL, 2010 and 2014
Clinician, for High School, University of Illinois East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP), 2007-2008
Clinician, for Western Illinois Jazz Festival, Macomb, IL, 2009
Instructor, University of Illinois Piano Laboratory Program, 2006-2008