Featured News
Moving Back to Tucson! / November 29, 2022
I am very excited to officially announce that I have recently won the Principal Percussion audition with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and will be moving back to Arizona to begin performing with the ensemble this season. My debut concerts took place on November 11 and November 13 and included Nielsen's Symphony No. 4, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, and Juan Pablo Contreras' brand new "MeChicano".
It was a dream of mine as a young percussionist growing up in Tucson to one day be the principal percussionist of the TSO. I feel extremely grateful and lucky that the stars aligned in this particular instance, allowing my wife and me an opportunity to move back to our hometown. To live near friends and family again and to perform with the ensemble that first inspired me to pursue a career in orchestral percussion is wonderful.
Please check out the EVENTS tab of my website to check out my upcoming performances with the TSO. I would love to reconnect with many of you now that I am back in AZ. Please reach out and let me know if you plan on attending a concert this season!
And, for students in the area, please note that I am slowly rebuilding my private percussion studio. My studio in GA grew to include 42 private percussion students and many of these students will be continuing on with me via virtual lessons. However, if you live in the Tucson area and are interested pursuing in-percussion lessons, please reach out. You can view my LESSONS tab for more information.
It was a dream of mine as a young percussionist growing up in Tucson to one day be the principal percussionist of the TSO. I feel extremely grateful and lucky that the stars aligned in this particular instance, allowing my wife and me an opportunity to move back to our hometown. To live near friends and family again and to perform with the ensemble that first inspired me to pursue a career in orchestral percussion is wonderful.
Please check out the EVENTS tab of my website to check out my upcoming performances with the TSO. I would love to reconnect with many of you now that I am back in AZ. Please reach out and let me know if you plan on attending a concert this season!
And, for students in the area, please note that I am slowly rebuilding my private percussion studio. My studio in GA grew to include 42 private percussion students and many of these students will be continuing on with me via virtual lessons. However, if you live in the Tucson area and are interested pursuing in-percussion lessons, please reach out. You can view my LESSONS tab for more information.
Upcoming Performances / Events
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: "KinderKonzerts - What Makes a Hero?" | April 25 - 28, 2023
9:45 AM & 11:00 AM | Berger Performing Arts Center | Tucson, AZ
This year, join the Tucson Symphony Orchestra along with returning guest conductor Kelly Corcoran as we explore the bewildering question of what truly makes a hero. Throughout the ages, composers have celebrated the accomplishments of famous heroes through music. What does a hero sound like? And, what makes a hero? Get ready to find out! For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
9:45 AM & 11:00 AM | Berger Performing Arts Center | Tucson, AZ
This year, join the Tucson Symphony Orchestra along with returning guest conductor Kelly Corcoran as we explore the bewildering question of what truly makes a hero. Throughout the ages, composers have celebrated the accomplishments of famous heroes through music. What does a hero sound like? And, what makes a hero? Get ready to find out! For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: "Young People's Concerts - The Melodic Life" | May 2 - 4, 2023
9:45 AM & 11:00 AM | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | Tucson, AZ
Join the Tucson Symphony Orchestra with returning guest conductor Chris Confessore for Young People’s Concerts. This year’s program features The Melodic Life composed and performed by Gregory Smith. It employs a “follow that melody” approach that traces the life of a lighthearted melody named Bob from early childhood to middle age. Stops are made at a variety of life events including going to school, playing sports and job experiences, such as being in a circus and a Broadway show. The Melodic Life hones the listening skills of the audience while fostering a deeper appreciation for melodic use and development. The proverbial message “variety is the spice of life” will ring in the listeners’ ears as well as their hearts.For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
9:45 AM & 11:00 AM | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | Tucson, AZ
Join the Tucson Symphony Orchestra with returning guest conductor Chris Confessore for Young People’s Concerts. This year’s program features The Melodic Life composed and performed by Gregory Smith. It employs a “follow that melody” approach that traces the life of a lighthearted melody named Bob from early childhood to middle age. Stops are made at a variety of life events including going to school, playing sports and job experiences, such as being in a circus and a Broadway show. The Melodic Life hones the listening skills of the audience while fostering a deeper appreciation for melodic use and development. The proverbial message “variety is the spice of life” will ring in the listeners’ ears as well as their hearts.For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert" | May 12 & 13, 2023
7:30 PM (5/12) & 2:00 PM (5/13) | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | Tucson, AZ
In the climactic sixth episode of the Star Wars saga, Darth Vader readies the second Death Star to unleash the final blow to the Rebel Alliance. Luke Skywalker joins R2-D2, C-3PO and Princess Leia to free Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt and launch a desperate attack upon the entire Imperial Fleet. Watch the complete film unfold as the Tucson Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ legendary score. For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
7:30 PM (5/12) & 2:00 PM (5/13) | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | Tucson, AZ
In the climactic sixth episode of the Star Wars saga, Darth Vader readies the second Death Star to unleash the final blow to the Rebel Alliance. Luke Skywalker joins R2-D2, C-3PO and Princess Leia to free Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt and launch a desperate attack upon the entire Imperial Fleet. Watch the complete film unfold as the Tucson Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ legendary score. For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: "Young Composers' Project, Full Orchestra Reading" | May 21, 2023
2:00 PM | Tucson Symphony Center | Tucson, AZ
The Young Composers Festival marks the culmination of a year of hard work and dedication from the student participants of the Young Composers Project. This event is an opportunity for the student composers to have their original scores performed by the musicians of The Tucson Symphony Orchestra, receive comments from musicians, teachers and Maestro José Luis Gomez, and to present their works to the concert audience for the first time. Students from the Advanced Class will have their pieces performed by the full Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Following each initial reading, the student composer will make recommendations to the musicians on the performance of their work. Musicians will then perform the work again to be recorded for the students’ personal use.For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
2:00 PM | Tucson Symphony Center | Tucson, AZ
The Young Composers Festival marks the culmination of a year of hard work and dedication from the student participants of the Young Composers Project. This event is an opportunity for the student composers to have their original scores performed by the musicians of The Tucson Symphony Orchestra, receive comments from musicians, teachers and Maestro José Luis Gomez, and to present their works to the concert audience for the first time. Students from the Advanced Class will have their pieces performed by the full Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Following each initial reading, the student composer will make recommendations to the musicians on the performance of their work. Musicians will then perform the work again to be recorded for the students’ personal use.For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
Lineage Percussion: "Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival" | June 30 - July 9, 2023
All Day | Stellenbosch University | Stellenbosch, South Africa
The members of Lineage Percussion have been invited to travel to South Africa to perform and teach at the 2023 Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival. For a full schedule of events, please visit: https://www.sicmf.co.za/
All Day | Stellenbosch University | Stellenbosch, South Africa
The members of Lineage Percussion have been invited to travel to South Africa to perform and teach at the 2023 Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival. For a full schedule of events, please visit: https://www.sicmf.co.za/
