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These are the two diplomas which I have to my credit.  My Masters Degree was a one year intensive study with Professor and tuba player Rex Martin, who has international solo career, as well as having performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for several years prior, and is the principal teacher of the Arnold Jacobs style of low brass performance.  It was an incredible experience to be surrounded by such amazing players who were so immersed in their field.  Every professor was an expert in their field, and a leading pedagogue.  I also had the great opportunity to study conducting with Mallory Thompson, who is a living legend among wind ensemble conductors.  Her intensity, musicality, and zest for making every concert a truly memorable expereince was key in my development as a conductor.

During my undergraduate degree I was blessed with professors who were exceptional musicians, as well as fine people.  My euphonium instructor was Dr. Greg Irvine, former principal tuba with the Hamilton Philharmonic, and presently Principal Tuba with Symphony Nova Scotia.  He is also a former student of the late Arnold Jacobs, and the single most lyrical musician I have ever met.  As well, my Choral conducting instructor was Dr. Mathis, a fine musician with an inquiring musical mind.  To add historical context to my understanding of style, Dr. F. Allan Reesor was my Music History teacher.  Also known as "Dr. Style", Dr. Reesor had an incredible gift for making music history pertinent to our life today, and essential to our comprehension of musical context.  I have often had cause to thank these three fine people during my career for going beyond simply offering a solid foundation, and spending extra energy and time in order to give me the education about music I was craving for.  I look at this degree as declaration which speaks to the success of both myself and my instructors during those four intense years.