Education 2006 Master of Music Composition, Chicago College of Performing Arts, Chicago, IL 2004 Bachelor of Music Composition, Suma cum Laude, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN Instructors in Composition 2004-2006 Dr. Stacy Garrop, Chicago College of Performing Arts 2005 Dr. Gyula Fekete, Chicago College of Performing Arts 2001-2004 Dr. Dennis Friesen-Carper, Valparaiso University 2003 Dr. Philip Gehring, Valparaiso University   Master classes with Jan Bach, Frank Ferko, and Randall Davidson. Academic Honor Societies 2003 Pi Kappa Lambda National Honor Society for Music 2002 Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society for non-traditional students Honors, Awards and Academic Scholarships 2006 Participant in the American Composers Forum/Duo 46 Composer Workshop with piece Duette Due 2006 Honors received for master's thesis, an orchestral work entitled Narrow Daylight 2005 Graduate Composition Assistantship, Chicago College of Performing Arts 2005 Third place prize in the 2004-2005 Seymour and Virginia La Rock Composition Competition at Chicago College of Performing Arts 2004 Performing Arts Scholarship, Chicago College of Performing Arts 2004 MTNA Student Achievement Recognition Award, Valparaiso University 2001 Music Scholarship Award, Valparaiso University Professional Associations 2006 ASCAP 2005     American Composers Forum, College Music Association, American Music Center 2001 Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia