B.Mus. (Music Education), Cornerstone University

Voice, trumpet, guitar, modern music ensembles, arranging and orchestration. 

What can students expect from your classes? From your division?

Students can expect to be challenged and encouraged to meet their individual potentials. I commit to do everything I can to help students achieve their best work. 

Music is one of the most competitive environments to work in. However, if you will commit yourself to the hard work necessary, I don’t know of a career that is more rewarding.  

Where were you born or raised?

Three Rivers, Mich.

Family information:

Wife, Holly, and I have a daughter, Jane. We also have two cats, Glinda and Elphaba.

I love to play with my daughter, who constantly amazes me. When I am not doing that, I love to exercise the gifts I have been given to bring God glory. That includes playing trumpet in the Grand River Winds, leading worship at church, arranging, orchestrating or anything else that I can find to do that involves music. If there is any time after that, I like to read anything that keeps my interest.  

Most recently, I have been drawn to two men in particular. The first is Travis Cottrell. I admire his ability to write songs that are both musically sound and theologically relevant. He also is a fantastic arranger. The second is Lincoln Brewster, who is just an outstanding guitarist. I hope someday to write and play as well as these men do in order to build up the body of Christ and to bring glory to his name.  

Psalm 96 lays out a basic idea about what music and the church should be about. It begins with a command to God’s people to “sing praise.” This is followed by some reasons why we should do this. Then the scope broadens from a personal command to a community command when the psalmist refers to “families of nations.” Lastly, God’s people are instructed to “say among the nations” and take the message of God’s work in our lives to all the people of the earth. Although it is not specifically expressed, there is the idea that the singing of God’s praises can and should be a vehicle for reaching the world for our Lord.  

It is an honor and a privilege to work now beside some of those who were my teachers. I also appreciate being a part of bringing up Christian young people to serve their Lord through music.