ABOUT | production

As A Producer:

I studied Music Media Production at Ball State University in Muncie Indiana from 2013-2016, and as a student in this program I've taken courses regarding this field from award winning producers, engineers, and composers working in the music industry.

While at Ball State it was our goal to create a diverse portfolio of music from different artists while taking advantage of the multi-million dollar studios that the university had invested in. Projects that I worked on during this time were often looked at with a larger scope in mind. Having access to 64 fader digital mixing boards, a 32 channel Rupert Neve Analog board, hundreds of microphones, and countless analog and digital plug-ins allowed us MMP students to get used to a high standard of quality and a large scope of possibilities.

As a freelance producer and engineer my access to facilities such as these is admittedly limited, but the goal to reach an end product that lives up to the standards of a multi-million dollar studio still stands firm. While I boast a versatile experience in music production, having worked with Jazz Combos, Progressive Rock bands, Classical musicians, Pop singers, Acoustic guitarists, and the list goes on… my current goal ism to produce music within a smaller scope with a professional sound.

One of the most rewarding services I offer is to high school and college students. Having graduated within the past few years I understand the struggle of being a passionate high school or college musician. Some students would love to have a small portfolio of recorded performances, of solo pieces, or a quartet or trio, or perhaps even an audition video to be submitted to a university or for a job. I have worked with several students (both high school and college) in providing these services at a reasonable cost.

If you’re looking for a producer or engineer who is willing to work closely with an artist to reach a common goal while still providing a product that doesn’t suffer in quality, look no further.

SKILLS:

Experience with Several Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) Including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Studio One
Knowledge of Various Mixing and Mastering Techniques and a working understanding of how signal flow works
Experience Recording Several Styles of Music; Rock, Acoustic, Jazz, Classical, Electronic, etc.
Knowledge of Microphone Selection and Placement Techniques
Background in Music Composition and Theory and Production
Focus on Artist/Producer Relations
Over 5 Years of Experience In Customer Service
Background as an educator, working with kids K-8 in a classroom setting

EXPERIENCE:

Outside of the required production and engineering work done at Ball State as part of my degree, I have been hired and commissioned by several artists and organizations between the years of 2012 and 2018.

I have been hired by several high school and college students to produce small portfolios for both classical instrumentation and voice.
Did production on songs My Singing Heart, and Waste of a Day for the band Permanent Jetlag
Did production on the songs I Hate It, and Three Times is True for the band Clowns are Scary
Engineered audio for use in an audition tape for several vocal performance majors at Indiana University
Engineering, MIDI recording, Guitar, Bass, and Vocals, and Production on several tracks for the pop group Recess

Examples of past projects can be found on the portfolio page on this site. Other examples can be provided upon request vid email, text or call.

As A Videographer:

Although my degree is in Music Media Production and Industry, I was offered the opportunity to expand my skillset into a different form of production. During the fall of 2016 I participated in an Immersive learning course at Ball State where myself and a small team of students worked with Conn Selmer, the largest instrument manufacturer in the country, to produce a number of educational videos for use on their Conn Selmer Institute.

As part of this class I took a leadership role, working to unify our teams separate videos into a cohesive product for our clients: Conn Selmer. I chose to treat this class as though it were a real job. We had been given an assignment from a real world client, and it was important to me that we provide only A+ material. This was not a blow off class, it was a job, and I pushed the rest of my team to treat it as such.

At the end of the semester we sent our client our work and asked for feedback. For the most part Conn Selmer was satisfied with our work but did not provide much in the way of constructive criticism. Because of my efforts to take leadership of the team, the department chair of the Music Media Production department ended up sending several video jobs my way, and because of the initiative I showed during that class I was able to turn videography into a freelance service that I’ve provided to several individuals and organizations since.

Since graduating from Ball State in 2016 I have found freelance employment working for several High School and College students looking to make professional looking (and sounding) audition tapes. I have created content for the Indianapolis based Music Retailer Paige’s Music, as part of their Student Stories series. I have also created content for Carmel Clay School’s Performing Art’s Program, and an interview series featuring Emmy nominated producer Eric Klee Johnson.

Experience with Several Video Editing Software Including Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro
Knowledge of various lighting, framing, and filming techniques
Experience in color correcting videos of varying quality
Experience in creating title and end bumpers for use in multiple projects or one-shot videos
Background in video editing, using a mixture continuous shots, b-roll, and collections of footage
Experience with several photo editing and graphic design software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)
Creative Consulting with a focus on optimizing videos, posts, and ads for optimal social media impact
Background as an educator helping to create genuine and comfortable footage when working with students

SKILLS:

EXPERIENCE:

After my experience working with Conn Selmer I was offered other opportunities to work as a freelance videographer with my former professor Dr. Robert Willey sending several clients in my direction, which helped to further build my reputation and provide more clients.

I have been hired by several high school students to produce video auditions for submission to college music programs. Videos were filmed, color corrected, audio was corrected, and videos were packaged and sent to clients ready for submission.
Did work for Paige's Music, hired by Tim Gee to produce several Student Stories videos that were posted on their facebook page.
Produced two videos for the Carmel Clay Performing Art's Department in lieu of the annual show and tell, these videos were made and sent out to parents of students to show progress made over the 3 week course
Interviewed local Producer Eric Klee Johnson for use in a small series of videos detailing how to be a great producer and build relationships with clients
Hired by the Web Master of a local outdoors club to help teach them how to turn their instruction manuals into video manuals, and how to improve the impact their social media has on the members of their group.

Examples of past projects can be found on the portfolio page on this site. Other examples can be provided upon request vid email, text or call.

As A Performer:

As the son of a band director I have always been involved in music for as long as I can remember. As a child I remember playing on the out of tune piano in our “Music Room” all the time. Although I began taking piano lessons at the age of 4 or 5, it wasn’t until I was in 4th grade that I began focusing on my music education. At the age of 9 I began taking percussion lessons from Jeffrey Nearpass. Since that time I have performed in several bands, orchestras, choirs, as well as some small groups and as a solo performer.

With Nearpass I studied primarily Marimba, Snare Drum, and Timpani techniques, but also Drum Set. I am proficient with common auxiliary percussion instruments, Crash Cymbals, Triangles, Tambourines, etc. and have studied proper technique on all commonly used percussion instruments in band and orchestra. This education was furthered at Ball State University where I auditioned as a percussion primary student, and participated in several Percussion Ensembles during my four years as a student. During the last two years at Ball State the percussion ensembles I participated in drew influence from our new adjunct professor Dr. Bruno Cabrera, a Brazilian doctorate student who introduced many new elements from his home country into the ensemble.

During my last two years at Carmel High School I was involved in the Carmel High School Orchestra program. I was selected to play percussion for the Carmel High School Phil Harmonic Orchestra during my Junior year of High School, and then was personally selected by Dr. Soo Han, former Orchestra director and department chair, to join the top orchestra, CHS Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist during my senior year. During my junior year the Phil Harmonic orchestra placed 3rd place at State Finals, and the following year I placed 1st with the Symphony Orchestra. As part of this program I was able to travel to Los Angeles and record at Disney Studios, as well as participate in several clinics and perform at several festivals.

During my first year at Ball State University I joined The Statesmen the Ball State men’s chorus which later gained recognition as a student organization. Throughout my four years as a Statesmen we became a staple of the Ball State community, participating in the Homecoming parades, performing at Alumni and Honors Society Dinners, participating in an enormous performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and working with the acclaimed composer Eric Whitacre. I continued to sing in choir throughout my college career, eventually joining a few mixed choirs, and participating in a capella groups.

I also play a variety of other instruments in addition to Percussion. I taught myself to play guitar, and have been playing since 2009. I am proficient enough to have played guitar in several bands (The Looking Glass Station, Dammit Connor, Recess), and also have experience playing both the upright and electric bass, and passed a handful piano proficiency courses at Ball State. I also have experience playing other string instruments such as the Ukulele, Banjo, and Mandolin.

SKILLS:

14 Years Studying Percussion. Marimba, Snare Drum, Timpani, Drum-set, Auxiliary Percussion. Studied under Jeff Nearpass, Marc Coulomb, Bruce McConnell, Dr. Erwin Mueller, Braham Dembar, Bruno Cabrera, Gabe Beach
Participated in Concert Band for over 8 years, Orchestra for 2 years, Choir for 4 years, Percussion Ensemble for 8 years, Jazz band for 5 years
Knowledge of Percussion Pedagogy, provided auditions for Creekside Middle School Try-Ons 4 years, assisted with Carmel Clay Summer Band Percussion Classes 6 years
10 Years Playing Guitar Acoustic & Electric (self taught)
6 Non-consecutive Years Studying Piano, Fulfilled University Requirements for Piano Accreditation
4 Years of Choral participation (Baritone)
1 year of classical training on Upright Bass (Provided 1-on-1 lesson by Dr. Soo Han)

EXPERIENCE:

I have been an active musician for almost 15 years, since I was in the 5th grade, performing as a soloist, a member of several small to large groups, and as a percussionist, a vocalist, guitarist, or one of many other roles.

Member of the Carmel High School Symphony Orchestra, State Champions in 2012
Member of the Carmel Clay Schools Performing Arts Department from 2005-2012
Participant in at least 4 Different Percussion Ensembles at both Carmel Clay Schools and Ball State University.
Assisted with the annual Percussion Day at Carmel Clay Schools during my first two years High School.
Participated in a Side-By-Side performance with the Kokomo Park Band in 2012
Member of the Ball State Statesmen 4 Years, Participating in Various Events as an Official School Organization
Guitarist and Singer for Acoustic Duo/Trio The Looking Glass Station, and Rock group Dammit Connor
Guitarist, Singer, Drummer, Bassist, and programmer for Pop group Recess
Volunteer staff member for Carmel Clay Schools Summer Band Program (6 non-consecutive years)
Volunteer staff member for Creekside Middle School Try-Ons, as Percussion specialist (4 non-consecutive years)

As An Educator:

Although all of my formal training is in the performing arts, I also have experience working

as an educator.

I am currently employed full time as an Intense Behavioral Support Staff Instructional Assistant at a local elementary school, working with students K-5. In order to be successful in this position, collaborative problem solving, detailed record keeping, and an open line of communication is vital. All of these skills are also applicable to Audio Engineering/Production, Videography, and Creative Consulting Work.

In addition to my full-time employment in education, I have been hired to work with students enrolled in music education. I have assisted in teaching beginner Percussion classes for incoming 6th-grade students. I have also been involved in the audition process for 6th-Grade students interested in percussion. I have been involved in both of these roles for several non-consecutive years between 2010-2018.

As a classically trained musician, I have used my experience to provide individualized lessons to students in Percussion (mainly drumset, but also auxiliary percussion), Guitar, and Piano/Keyboards.

On several occasions, I have provided peers and clients with lessons and tutorials on the use of different computer software, music composition, and orchestration techniques, and various other Music and Music Industry topics.

SKILLS:

Trained in Crisis Prevention and Intervention techniques (with CPI certification), including verbal deescalation techniques and physical intervention
Experience working with students in a 1-on-1 environment, in a classroom setting, and in small group settings
2 years of teaching experience K-5 as part of the Intense Behavioral Support Staff
Percussion Pedagogy training, assisted with Carmel Clay Summer Band Percussion Classes
Daily documentation of student behavior, taking detailed notes for other staff members and the Teacher of Record for given students, so information is readily available
Positive communication skills, as a member of a team of ~15 people it was important that all information be communicated in a concise but still informative manner
Experience teaching both adult peers, and students K-12 how to operate different software, and how to maximize social media impact as a creative consultant.

EXPERIENCE:

I have worked in a school setting as an Instructional Assistant for 2~ school years, but as the son of several educators, spanning back a couple generations, I have approached things from the perspective of an educator for several years prior to taking my current position

Prairie Trace Elementary Intense Behavioral Support Staff Instructional Assistant. Formerly Instructional Assistant in the Resource Department
Assisting students in a classroom setting, or individually, and assisting them with more difficult tasks as outlined by each student's individualized IEP
Worked with one student for 4.5 hours out of the 6.5 hour school day in a 1-on-1 environment
Tracking student behavior throughout the day to create a successful learning environment. This documentation is sent to parents each day, so it is important that all documentation uses only objective information and facts
It is often necessary to navigate conflicts with students. Because of the nature of their disabilities, many of these students can become physically aggressive with little to no warning, and it is ideal that this behavior is anticipated and avoided
Utilization of Conscious Discipline to help navigate conflicts with students
Volunteer staff member for Creekside Middle School Try-Ons, as Percussion specialist (4 non-consecutive years)
Volunteer assistance for Carmel Clay Summer Band Percussion classes
Hired as a private instructor to teach the son of a college professor how to play drumset
Hired to teach the Technology Chairman of a private organization how to use certain computer software
Asked to give a lecture at several small conferences regarding my approach to customer service