Teaching

University Teaching:

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