Just returned from a very successful fall tour with the Po’Boys Brass Band. We gave masterclasses at Ithaca College and Penn State and did club hits in New York City, Williamsport, Collegetown, and Ithaca.

I’m back into life in Rochester, having seen a great tuba recital by Tim Buzbee last night and taught New Horizons this morning. . . working on preparing for the comprehensive exams these days, as well. –T. J.

I’ll be touring New York and Pennsylvania for the next couple of days with the Po’ Boy Brass Band! Come check us out, the schedule is below:

Or check us out on the web here

I have been named the principal tubist of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra after auditions in Springfield, OH on September 12th. I will remain in Rochester, NY for most of my time and commute down to Springfield about once a month and stay for a few days to do rehearsals and concerts. I look forward to working with Maestro Peter Stafford Wilson and the entire SSO family!

Well, I’ve returned from Germany and, basically, been on the road everyday since. This summer, the Po’ Boys Brass Band hit festivals in most of the towns in upstate NY. The day I returned from Germany I had to head down to Ohio to play the Springfield Symphony’s Lunch on the Lawn series with All the Kings Tubas . The concert was a great time, with a great crowd, including my grandmother (who hasn’t heard me play the tuba in at least six or seven years), my mother, and my niece, Lily. The travels have been safe and the experiences good.

It has been an incredible year of traveling for me… Over spring break, I subbed with the Springfield, Ohio Symphony Orchestra. In April, I was invited out to Honolulu, HI to sub for HSO principal tubist, John Elliott. Back in July, I was down in Burlington, KY playing with the Queen City Brass. Last week, I went over and checked out the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra and had the opportunity to warm up with BSO tubist Mike Roylance and TMCO tubist John Elliott. This week I’m headed to Hof, Germany with the Emerald Brass Quintet for the Rekkenze Brass Festival. I feel blessed to have had so many recent opportunities. Here is a picture of the Emerald Brass. This will be the first stamp in my passport! Music takes you places!