Essay · · 2 min read
Orchestral Programming as Cultural Reclamation
Why the works we choose to perform matter as much as how we perform them — and what it means to put Latin American composers on the same stage as the European canon.
01 / Work
Conducting
Music & Artistic Director of the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra since 2017, with a background in youth orchestras, wind bands, and orchestral training programs across Texas.
Current Positions
Mesquite Symphony Orchestra
Music & Artistic Director
★ 2025 Winner — The American Prize in Orchestral Performance – Community Division
Leading the orchestra's artistic vision, programming, and performances. Since 2018, the organization has seen significant growth in revenue, audience attendance, and membership.
Previous Experience
Texas Institute for Orchestral Studies
Co-Founder; Artistic Director & Principal Conductor (2023–2026); Associate Artistic Director (2021–2023)
Co-founded and led training programs for the next generation of orchestral musicians through intensive weekend programs and educational initiatives.
East Texas Youth Orchestra
Music & Artistic Director (2024–2025); Executive & Artistic Director (2019–2024); Music Director (2018–2019)
Led the organization through its first international tour to Vienna, Austria, and expanded services to reach more young musicians across East Texas, including the return of the Preparatory orchestra and the creation of the Junior Jazz and Saxophone ensembles.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Apprentice Conductor
Worked closely with Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conducting the FWSO in neighborhood and youth education performances, and assisting in subscription concerts at Bass Performance Hall during the 2013–2014 season.
Education & Training
Texas Christian University
M.M. Orchestral Conducting
2014 — Assistant Conductor, TCU Symphony Orchestra
M.M. Wind Conducting
2012 — Graduate Conductor, TCU Bands
B.M. Music Education
2006
Teachers
Orchestral: Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Germán Gutierrez
Wind: Bobby Francis
Choral: Dennis Shrock, Ron Shirey