I am a creative musician and educator who enjoys pushing himself forward, learning new things, putting myself in uncomfortable situations that cause one to further grow.My love of teaching and learning began at an early age. Both of parents are English teachers, and highly valued both the acquisition of knowledge and sharing it with others. I believe this is where my life-long love of learning and teaching was created, and, as I have progressed through life, it has only grown. I have taught in many environments, and there are always two distinct forms of pleasure I find myself enjoying: the joy of not only imparting knowledge onto eager minds, but also the opportunity to observe, analyze, and critique my own teaching methods to better improve their effectiveness. Putting myself into situations that help me to learn and grow is something I truly enjoy.Two qualities that I put a high personal value upon are having a positive outlook and being an effective team member. I believe that one needs to put effort into not just “falling into a routine” but to try to view each opportunity as a means to a greater understanding of the world around us and a chance to learn and grow. Staying positive is something that takes hard work, but its rewards cannot be measured. Teamwork is a concept that is a core aspect of any employment opportunity. While studying at DePaul, I had the opportunity to play both first and second trumpet parts in the top jazz ensemble. While playing first trumpet, one must be the ultimate leader setting the style, dynamics, and articulations for the entire band. Playing second trumpet, however, involves playing exactly like the first trumpet player. One must temper individual instincts in order to create the best ensemble product.