EDUCATION

 

Doctor of Philosophy, (ABD, target completion: Spring 2018)

The University of Florida

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Concentration: Instrumental Conducting, Music Education 

Conducting Studies: David A. Waybright, John M. Watkins Jr.

Trumpet Studies: Scott Wilson (Jazz) Joseph Montelioni (Classical)

Education Studies: Charles Hoffer, Russell Robinson, William Bauer, Keith Thompson

 

Master of Music Performance

Youngstown State University

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Concentration: Instrumental Conducting

Conducting Studies: Stephen Gage, Brandt Payne

Trumpet Studies: Christopher Krummel

 

Bachelor of Music Education 

Mansfield University

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Graduatied Cum Laude

Conducting Studies: Adam Brennan, Nathan Rinnert

Trumpet Studies: Michael Galloway

 

 

UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE 

 

Ithaca College

Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Education, 2016-Present

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Wind Instrument Pedagogy (MUED 37500)

Taught course focused on techniques for teaching woodwind, brass, and percussion     instruments in private, small group, and large ensemble settings. Used Sakai and SmartMusic platforms to deliver course information and assess student development.

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Brass Class (PFSM 35100)

Taught course designed to develop students' knowledge of brass techniques, pedagogy, and literature. Taught students basic playing and pedagogical fundamentals of trumpet, horn, and trombone.

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Campus Band (MUNM 10300)

Conducted ensemble and programed appropriate quality literature in order to expand the technical, intellectual, and emotional horizons of each musician. Promoted high performance standards, allowing skills an knowledge gained from previous musical experiences to be applied to college ensemble performance.

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Student Teacher Supervision

Served as a supervisor and mentor of junior and senior student teachers. Individually mentored each student in order to develop their skills in designing lesson plans and improve pedagogical processes involved with teaching wind instruments. 

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The University of Florida 

Teaching Assistant, 2013-2016

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Materials and Methods of Teaching Winds and Percussion (MUE 4422)

Taught course to senior music education majors designed to familiarize music education students with the requirements and responsibilities of teaching winds, strings, and percussion in middle and secondary schools. 

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Secondary Music Education (MUE 3300)

Assisted Dr. Russell Robinson in teaching music education units. Observed and mentored pre-service teachers during their field experiences. 

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Conducting 1 (MUG 4104)

Taught beginning conducting course designed to teach appropriate conducting technique, professional score study and preparation habits through use of piano and part-singing. Maintained a private conducting studio and gave weekly private conducting lessons. 

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Ensemble Conducting

Conducted the Concert Band and guest conducted the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Trumpet Ensemble, and various chamber ensembles. Assisted David Waybright with Wind Symphony rehearsals and rehearsed the ensemble when he was away guest conducting. 

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Gator Marching Band

Led ensemble and sectional rehearsals for music, drill, and marching fundamentals. Assisted with equipment and personnel logistical planning. Coordinated and led students on various away game trips, NCAA bowl games, and 2015 SEC Championship game in Atlanta, Georgia. 

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Basketball/Volleyball Pep Bands

Led rehearsals/performances for regular season and tournament games (NCAA and SEC). Coordinated travel and conducted Basketball Pep Band at the 2013 SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee. Coordinated with marketing department on all game planning involving athletic bands, cheerleaders, and dance team. 

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Jazz Improvisation (MUH 2641)

Taught course designed to solidify jazz improvisation skills in live performance. Introduced students to jazz standards, scale and chord progressions, jazz theory, and bebop rotations. 

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History of Jazz (MUH 4016)

Worked with various online educational delivery platforms in order to administer online course to over 800 students. 

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University Graduate Curriculum Development

Assisted Scott Wilson with the creation of the curriculum for a new graduate jazz theory course. Designed a curriculum that includes a blend of online and face-to-face teaching strategies and electronic professional portfolio development. 

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What is the Good Life (UF 1000)

Led freshman discussion groups about philosophical readings from various time periods. Graded all student essays and offered writing workshops. 

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Gatorland Band Camps (Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida-2014, Gainesville, Florida-2015-2016)

Conducted high school camp concert band. Supervised daily brass sectionals and gave daily brass master classes that focused on effective warm-up procedures, music theory, improving sight reading skills, and breathing techniques. Taught daily jazz improvisation masterclasses. Assisted in logistical operations and curriculum development for the entire camp. 

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Youngstown State University

Teaching Assistant, 2011-2012

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Ensemble Conducting

Guest conducted the YSU Wind Ensemble and Dana Chamber Winds in rehearsals and performances. Worked with the YSU Marching Band in an instructional role.

 

 

PUBLIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE 

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Valley Grove School District, Director of Bands, 2008-2012

Franklin, Pennsylvania

• Directed instrumental music for entire district

• Held supplemental positions as Athletic Band Director, Stage Crew Manager, and Pit Orchestra Conductor for All-School Musical

 

Rocky Grove High School, Instrumental Music – Grades 7-12

Franklin, Pennsylvania

• Conducted the RGHS Senior High Band (grades 9-12)

• Conducted the RGHS Junior High Band (grades 7-8)

• Directed the RGHS Jazz Combo

• Taught courses in Jazz Improvisation and Music Theory

• Taught individual and small group instrumental lessons

• Maintained a safe, efficient and respectful environment through effective classroom management procedures

• Supervised student teachers

 

Valley Grove Elementary School, Instrumental Music – Grades 5-6

Franklin, Pennsylvania

• Conducted the VGES 5th and 6th Grade Bands

• Taught private and group instrumental lessons for grades 5-6

• Implemented assessment strategies including online assessment portfolios within the paradigm of Harvard Project Zero and Arts PROPEL

 

Franklin Area School District, Assistant Director of Athletic Bands, 2010-2012

Franklin, Pennsylvania

• Held position of Assistant Director of the Franklin Black Knight Marching Band

• Initiated and drafted a cooperative agreement between the Franklin Area and Valley Grove School Districts allowing RGHS students to participate in marching band for the first time in the school’s history

 

Private Performance Studio, 2009-2012

Franklin, Pennsylvania

• Maintained private studio of 12 students

• Taught trumpet and trombone students jazz and classical private lessons and group music theory classes

• Students have received Pennsylvania Music Education Association District, Region, and All-State Honors

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SERVICE 

 

University of Florida Public Relations, 2013-2016

• Created all programs for Band Department concerts

• Designed all promotional posters for department events

• Promoted all department events through various social media outlets

• Assisted in the coordination of the 2014 American Bandmasters Association Conference in Montgomery, Alabama

 

Committee Membership and School Service

• Member of Crisis Prevention and Intervention Team, Valley Grove School District – 2009-2010

• Member of National Honors Society Selection Committee, Rocky Grove High School – 2008-2012

• Member of Professional Development Committee, Rocky Grove High School – 2009-2011

• Organized, Directed, and Hosted the Pennsylvania Music Education Association District III Jazz Festival – 2012

 

 

Community Service

• Member of Franklin Silver Cornet Band Board of Directors -2010-2012

• Treasurer of Franklin Silver Cornet Band – 2010-2011

• On-call “Taps” performer for all Veterans of Foreign War Lodge #1298 veteran funerals, 2002-2009

• Volunteer Staff member for Junior Silver C’s Summer Camp, 2010-2012

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PRESENTATIONS 

 

“Jazz Improvisation Strategies for the Beginning Instrumentalist”

Bath, NY- 2008, NYSMA Jazz Festival

 

“Authentic Student Assessment: Visually Assessing Elementary Instrumental Performance”

Gainesville, FL- 2013, Unviersity of Florida CNAfME presentation

 

“Motivation Strategies for Student Success"

Gainesville, FL- 2014, Unviersity of Florida CNAfME presentation

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"Incorporating Improvisation in Large Ensemble Settings"

Gainesville, FL - 2015, University of Florida CNAfME presentation 

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Publications

 

Rochford, Benjamin. (2014). Why can't I get all my students to be as motivated as Little Suzie

Sunshine? Florida Music Director, 68 (2), 12-18. 

 

PERFORMANCE

 

American Chamber Winds

European Tour, Summer 2014

Co-principal Trumpet 

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Carnegie Hall

Annual New York Wind Band Festival - 2013 

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HONORS AND AWARDS 

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• John and Margaret Sung Fellowship recipient, awarded for excellence in the area of conducting, 2016

• Kruesther Scholarship recipient for concerto competition performance, 2007

• Margaret M. Fritz Scholarship for academic achievement, 2006-2008

• Inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society for academic achievement

• Performed at Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C., Franklin Black Knight Marching Band 2010

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PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS 

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• National Association for Music Education

• College Band Directors National Association 

• New York State School Music Association 

• Florida Music Education Association

• Florida Bandmasters Association

• Pennsylvania Music Education Association

• National Education Association

• International Trumpet Guild

• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

 

 

REFERENCES

(Available Upon Request)