Education
MASTER OF MUSIC
Conducting Emphasis
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
GPA: 4.0
BACHELOR OF MUSIC
magna cum laude
Sacred Music Vocal
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
GPA: 3.82
ASSOCIATE IN FINE ARTS
Music
Lenoir Community College
Kinston, North Carolina
Employment Experience
Positions are organized by scope of responsibility.
Immanuel Presbyterian Church | Tucson, Arizona
Immanuel Presbyterian Church Tucson, Arizona
Director of Music Ministries 2022 – Present
- Introduced new concert initiatives and collaborative worship arts events, including performances with University of Arizona student ensembles, silent film accompaniment paired with Trunk-or-Treat, and musical offerings for festivals and community celebrations, expanding artistic engagement and strengthening community presence
- Lead a multi-ensemble sacred music program (choir, handbells, worship band), cultivating intergenerational participation and shaping worship rooted in Scripture, liturgy, and community life
- Develop and direct seasonal concerts, community worship partnerships, and special services, strengthening congregational engagement and expanding the church’s artistic visibility
- Recruit, mentor, and pastor volunteer and professional musicians, increasing ensemble participation and musical leadership capacity across the congregation
The Gaslight Theatre Tucson, Arizona
Pianist, Entertainer 2023 – Present
- Deliver high-energy piano and vocal performances for 9 shows weekly (up to 28 during the Christmas season), consistently contributing to fully sold-out productions in a fast-paced theatrical environment
- Collaborate with musicians and production staff to provide seamless musical support, adapting repertoire and arrangements in real time to maintain performance excellence across frequent shows
- Cultivate strong audience engagement and rapport, sustaining the theatre’s signature interactive entertainment experience for over 100,000 patrons each season
Cochise College Sierra Vista, Arizona
Associate Faculty – Music: Piano 2025 – Present
- Teach applied and class piano across diverse skill levels using clear pedagogical sequencing while developing lesson plans, assessing progress, and maintaining required academic records.
- Support artistic and technical growth through individualized coaching and prepare students effectively for end-of-semester performances.
Tucson Summer Chorus Tucson, Arizona
Artistic Director, Conductor 2024 – Present
Assistant Conductor, Collaborative Pianist 2024
- Lead artistic and organizational vision for a 90-voice intergenerational chorus, fostering musical excellence and inclusive community participation
- Expanded audience and donor engagement, achieving a 50% increase in concert attendance and a significant rise in donations in first season
Tucson Interfaith Choir & Orchestra Tucson, Arizona
Chorus Director (Volunteer Role) 2024 – Present
- Prepare and conduct a 120-voice interfaith chorus for large-scale sacred oratorio performances, fostering spiritual depth, musical excellence, and inclusive community belonging
- Expand interfaith participation through strengthened outreach, an improved web presence, and instruction in diverse sacred repertoire
Clay Whittington Music & Entertainment Tucson, Arizona (Touring)
Lead Vocals, Keys, Guitars • Dreams & Rumours: The Fleetwood Mac Experience 2025 – Present
Producer, Pianist • Straighten Up & Fly Right 2025 – Present
Every Era Entertainment Tucson, Arizona (Touring)
Lead Vocals, Keys • The Best of Huey Lewis and the News 2025 – Present
Producer, Performer • Gaslight Dueling Pianos 2024 – Present
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PRIOR APPOINTMENTS & CONTRACTS
Positions are organized historically from most recent to earliest.
University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona
Assistant Director, University Singers (Graduate Assistantship) 2024
Assistant Director, Treble Glee (Graduate Assistantship) 2023 – 2024
- Assisted in planning and leading rehearsals for collegiate choral ensembles, conducting sectionals and shaping ensemble tone, balance, and musicianship
- Accompanied rehearsals and performances (piano & guitar) and supported curriculum delivery in vocal technique, score study, and ensemble leadership
Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus Tucson, Arizona
Chorister 2022 – 2023
The Helios Ensemble Tucson, Arizona
Chorister, Chamber Singer 2022 – 2023
First United Methodist Church Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
Director of Music Ministries 2020 – 2022
- Directed chancel choir and handbell choir and served as principal organist and pianist, supporting traditional worship and seasonal liturgical services
- Established a structured cantor and worship-leader formation program, mentoring emerging musicians and strengthening congregational song leadership
- Led special services, concerts, and collaborative ministry events and contributed to digital worship media production during COVID-19, sustaining musical participation and engagement
Spilman Memorial Baptist Church Kinston, North Carolina
Music Director 2019 – 2021
- Directed choir and handbell ensemble for traditional worship services and seasonal liturgical observances
- Designed and produced digital worship music during COVID-19, supporting congregational worship continuity and engagement
St. Thomas Episcopal Church Bath, North Carolina
Interim Choirmaster & Organist 2018 – 2019
Carnival Cruise Line Miami, Florida
Piano Bar Entertainer 2016 – 2018
- Entertained diverse audiences as a solo pianist-vocalist, delivering high-energy, request-driven performances that encouraged guest participation and created an engaging nightly atmosphere
- Curated an extensive repertoire across multiple genres, adapting sets in real time to audience demographics and shipboard programming while maintaining a professional, customer-focused presence
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Salinas, California
Choirmaster & Pianist 2015 – 2017
Westminster United Methodist Church Kinston, North Carolina
Music Director 2014 – 2015
Camp Ground United Methodist Church Fayetteville, North Carolina
Chancel Choir Director, Pianist 2012 – 2014
Temple B’nai Sholem New Bern, North Carolina
Assistant Music Leader, Organist 2011 – 2013
Sharon United Methodist Church Kinston, North Carolina
Music Director 2008 – 2012
Lenoir Community College Theatre Kinston, North Carolina
Music Director 2005 – 2008
Trinity United Methodist Church LaGrange, North Carolina
Pianist 2004 – 2006
Performance & Artistic Experience
Vocals, Keys, Guitar | In Active Performances
Dreams and Rumours: The Fleetwood Mac Experience
Produced by Clay Whittington Music & Entertainment
Tucson, Arizona
Vocals, Keys | In Active Performances
Power of Love: The Best of Huey Lewis and the News
Produced by Every Era Entertainment
Tucson, Arizona
Tenor Soloist | 2025
Mass No. 2 in G major, D 167 (Franz Schubert)
Produced by Voices in the Oaks
Oracle, Arizona
Pianist, Entertainer | 2023 – Present
The Gaslight Theatre
Tucson, Arizona
Piano Bar Entertainer | 2016 – 2018
Carnival Cruise Line
Miami, Florida
Music Director, Keys | 2015
Ring of Fire
Produced by The Thalian Association
Wilmington, North Carolina
Selected Choral Performance Experience
Son of God Mass | James Whitbourn
University of Arizona Symphonic Choir
Tucson, Arizona
2025
Terza Messa | Marianna Martines
University of Arizona Symphonic Choir
Tucson, Arizona
2024
Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Resurrection | Gustav Mahler
Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Tucson, Arizona
2023
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 | Ludwig van Beethoven
Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Tucson, Arizona
2023
Messiah, HWV 56 | George Frideric Handel
Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Tucson, Arizona
2022
Gloria, RV 589 | Antonio Vivaldi
East Carolina University Chamber Singers
Greenville, North Carolina
2019
Mass in B-flat major, Hob.XXII:14, Harmoniemesse | Franz Joseph Haydn
Carmel Bach Festival Chorus
Carmel-By-The-Sea, California
2015
Die Zauberflöte, K. 620 | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Carmel Bach Festival Chorus
Carmel-By-The-Sea, California
2015
Messiah, HWV 56 | George Frideric Handel
Lenoir Community College
Kinston, North Carolina
2005, 2006, 2009
Publications
Choral Journal | Volume 64, No. 8 (May 2024), p. 89
Choral Review: Kurt Weill’s Kiddush
Lectures & Presentations
Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship & Music Conference | 2026
Come Sunday: Duke Ellington in Worship
Interest Session Presenter
University of Arizona Choral Conducting Program | 2025
Pipe Organ Essentials for Choral Conductors
Guest Lecturer
Arizona American Choral Directors Association Summer Conference | 2025
Choral Jazz in Worship
Interest Session Presenter
University of Arizona Choral Literature Intensive | 2025
The Choral Works of Kurt Weill
Guest Lecturer
Awards and Recognition
University of Arizona Scholarship Awards | 2023 – 2025
University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona
• Donald and Mary Ruth Shropshire Scholarship (2023 – 2024, 2024 – 2025)
• Merrylees W. Mayer Choral Scholarship (2024 – 2025)
• John Bloom Choral Scholarship (2024 – 2025)
• Bruce Chamberlain Endowed Scholarship (2023 – 2024)
• Albert M. Haldeman Music Scholarship (2023 – 2024)
• Lutheran Brotherhood Bach Scholarship (2023 – 2024)
The Society of Pi Kappa Lambda | Inducted May 2022
Beta Zeta Chapter, East Carolina University; Greenville, North Carolina
Magna Cum Laude Graduate | 2022
East Carolina University; Greenville, North Carolina
Eagle Scout | 2005
Boy Scouts of America, East Carolina Council, Troop 585
Academic & Professional Organizations
The Society of Pi Kappa Lambda
Beta Zeta Chapter, East Carolina University
Member since 2022
American Guild of Organists
Member since 2018
Communications Officer, East Carolina Chapter (2020-2022)
American Choral Directors Association
Member since 2009
Vice President, University of Arizona Graduate Chapter (2024-2025)
Presbyterian Association of Musicians
Member since 2023