This month, we’re shining the spotlight on the Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Pasadena Symphony, whose path to arts leadership began with attending Bellis Music Camp in middle school. He leads impactful programs like the All City Orchestra, a tuition-free afterschool initiative serving students across the Pasadena Unified School District, helping young musicians build confidence, community, and pathways into youth symphonies. We caught up with him to talk about his career journey, balancing artistic vision with real-world realities, and his mission to make meaningful music education accessible to every student in the community.

You started out by studying environmental science. When did you decide you wanted to switch to a career in music education?

I didn’t originally plan to work in music education. I studied environmental science in college and fully intended to become a middle school science teacher. Teaching had always been the goal, just not necessarily through music.

The turning point came much earlier, when in middle school, my mom sent me to Bellis Music Camp, a week-long summer orchestra camp. I was a quiet, introverted kid, but that week changed me. I found community, confidence, and mentors who pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I returned every summer as a counselor through high school and college, and discovered that I loved teaching.

After graduation, my former conductor from the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras, Mr. Taylor, who had also been one of my camp teachers, called and asked if I’d coach for the Symphony. One opportunity led to another, and I found myself building a career in music education. I ended up returning to something that had been shaping me all along.

What is one of your favorite programs you have managed at Pasadena Symphony?

One of my favorite programs is our All City Orchestra (ACO), a tuition-free elementary afterschool strings and wind program serving students from the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD).

The program has been around for more than ten years, so we have really had the chance to watch it grow. What started as a small effort to provide extra support has developed into a joyful, vibrant community of young musicians. Because it has been sustained over time, we have been able to build strong relationships with school day teachers and truly partner with them.

What has been especially meaningful is seeing how that pathway continues beyond elementary school. As the ACO has grown, more PUSD students have gone on to audition for and participate in Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras ensembles. Students who may not have once seen themselves in a youth symphony are now arriving prepared, confident, and ready for that next step. Over time, it has created a stronger, more connected musical community across the district. 

What inspires you to keep working in education and community engagement in the arts?

I’m inspired by the impact the arts can have on a young person’s life. Seeing a student discover their voice, gain confidence, or connect with a community through music is incredibly motivating. I’m also inspired by the people I work with, the teachers, conductors, and mentors who have supported me for years, some since I was a kid myself. The work is not easy and I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but knowing there is always room to grow for the students, the programs, and myself keeps me coming back every day.

What is something that you wish you had known earlier on in your career?

One thing I’ve learned in my career is how important it is to balance artistic vision with practical realities. Budgets, schedules, and resources always play a role, and being transparent and having open, direct conversations with conductors, teachers, and staff makes all the difference. Trying to be everyone’s friend or avoiding tough discussions rarely helps.

It’s not about limiting creativity. It’s about guiding it so it can thrive within real-world constraints. Over time, I’ve seen how clear communication and collaboration can help both artists and students achieve more than they imagined.

What else do you want to do in your career?

I want to keep finding ways to make music education accessible and meaningful for more students while being more present in my community. That means showing up to city and school meetings, building relationships, and speaking up for the arts whenever I can. I also want to keep growing as a leader and mentor, supporting teachers and conductors so we can build programs that are inspiring and sustainable. For me, it’s really about helping students and the community thrive while continuing to learn and grow along the way.

Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?

In my twenties, I loved taking on food challenges. Before they went out of business, I was the reigning Farrell’s Ice Cream Eating Champion three times in a row. My wife and I also share a love for escape rooms and have completed over 100 together whenever we travel.

To see the Pasadena Symphony in action, attend its America @ 250 concert on May 30th!