What year did you join the orchestra?
2020

How long have you been playing music?
24 years

How did you pick your instrument?
I grew up in a musical family. My mom is a bassoonist and my brother was a percussionist. My dad was a trombonist and he had multiple trombones sitting around the house. I started on one of his trombones.

Occupation?
I’m the Director of Operations and Artistic Planning for the Reno Chamber Orchestra.

When you’re not playing with the Reno Phil, what would we most likely see you doing in your free time?
I’m a big fan of cinema and I’m always trying to catch up on critically acclaimed films.

What genre of music are you most excited to play?
I get most excited about playing new music from composers of today. Playing a world or American premiere of a piece is incredibly exciting.

What is your favorite piece of all time to play, and why?
Mozart’s Requiem. One of the most satisfying things as a trombonist is to play with a great choir and we often double what the choir is singing for support. Mozart’s Requiem is one of the pinnacles of classical music for us.

If you could meet one composer/musician, who would it be and why?
Stravinsky. Fascinating person who knew everybody in music and the arts and was so important to 20th century music. I would love to visit him at his Los Angeles home.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
San Juan Islands in Washington State

What about performing live music brings you joy?
The exhilarating feeling of a great performance that moved the audience.