Springtime in Georgia... and Alaska!

March in Seward, Alaska

It feels like every spring, I encounter an especially vibrant season that tests my limits and teaches me about myself. While these periods are challenging, I've come to anticipate them with a sense of excitement. Things get stressful for a while, but I like to think that we come out "on the other side" a little humbler and wiser. I am typically forced to remember my own human limitations, while also reacquainting myself with a healthier relationship to rest after a tumultuous season.This year has been no different.

In early March, I had the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Alaska: "the Last Frontier," and paradise for anyone who considers themself an outdoors enthusiast. Additionally, this trip in particular was made all the more special through the opportunity to reconnect with one of my most influential teachers: my high school band director, Chris Lubken! Coming up through high school, this man invested in me, and was part of a devoted musical community that nurtured my love for the trumpet (I would be remiss without also mentioning Steve and Karia Schofield, as well as Steve Oakley, who all invested heavily in me as well). Chris helped me find my path, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to "give back" to his current program at Robert Service High School in Anchorage. He has also continued to be one of my biggest fans, cheering me on over the past fifteen years and consistently reminding me that he is "so proud!" of me. I spent two weeks with Chris and his beautiful family, while also working with students in several high schools throughout the Anchorage School District through jazz ensemble coaching, private trumpet lessons, and brass masterclasses. Casey was also able to join me for the first week of the trip, which was such an awesome opportunity to share with her.

Always a passionate jazz educator, Chris founded and launched the Anchorage Jazz Festival this year. I was honored to be one of the Guest Artist Clinicians for the inaugural year, adjudicating about 15 bands from across the State of Alaska! Students up there rarely have the same access to these sorts of opportunities without significant financial resources and traveling a great distance at personal expense - which many families do not have. There is no doubt in my mind that this festival will only continue to grow under Chris's leadership - nobody works harder than this man, and it's amazing to see what he is providing for the music education community in Alaska. No wonder, I suppose, that the guy was also named Alaska Teacher of the Year in 2024 and is currently the President-Elect for their state MEA... he's too humble to brag on himself, so somebody has to!

Denali, about 40 miles outside the National Park

Alaska was far from entirely work; Casey and I were treated to some incredible hikes, walks, meals, coffees (yep, craft coffee is alive and well in Anchorage), and solitude. One highlight was definitely our opportunity to view Denali on a rare clear day (the highest peak in North America is only visible about 1/3 of the days in each year - we got 2). Another personal joy of this trip was spending a day on the Kenai Peninsula in search of some Alaska rainbow trout, with a fly rod in hand. Unfortunately, "springtime" conditions in Alaska did not work in my favor. The night before our excursion, the peninsula received 6" to 7" of snow and ice, combined with a sudden temperature drop and some wind gusts. Of course, none of this stopped me from getting out there and making some unforgettable memories. However, I've got some unfinished business up there (and still want to try for salmon, grayling, char...).

After returning to Kennesaw, I immediately went into final preparations for our annual KSU Brass Blast event. This was my first time hosting an outreach event of this scale and leading things on my own... It brought back many fond memories of co-hosting Brass Festivals at Wright State with my friends Gretchen McNamara, Dan Honaker, Andrew Bass, and my amazing students there. Our 2025 edition of KSU Brass Blast was a huge success, and set a new attendance record for the first time in 4 years. We were overjoyed to host Jim Pugh, a legend in the trombone world and a true class act! The best part of this year's event, however, was getting to watch our current KSU students enjoy Jim and benefit from his artistry. I am already excited for next year! In the same week as Brass Blast, I was also thrilled to play my first show with the Georgia Symphony's jazz arm, the GSO Jazz!. We played a really fun program of West Coast Swing charts, and I was simply inspired by the quality of musicianship in that band. I hope to play with them on many more occasions.

Returning to Georgia also meant trading inches of snow for inches of pollen... literally! Adjusting to the thin layer of greenish-yellow dust has been interesting for sure, but I won't complain about the highs in the mid-70s and lows in the mid-50s. It's also a reminder of new beginnings as we start to wrap up a successful audition season at KSU. I am really excited to begin welcoming our Fall 2025 incoming class, and integrating those fine individuals into our Trumpet Studio! Looking forward to (and also fondly recalling) many more 'new beginnings'.