I started composing when I was really young and until recently, I did not realize how young until I found some of my early manuscript scribbled on anything...including regular writing paper. I must have been pretty desperate about putting down on paper some of my musical ideas.

Not until I was out of college, even though I took composition courses in college did I find myself dreaming complete original works in my head. It has become so bad sometimes that it completely wakes me up and then sometimes I dream about waking myself up and writing down what I dream. I dream all genres of music and my hope is one day to capture the whole composition for a long enough time to actually write it down! It can become frustrating!

With my active schedule, I have not been able to compose nearly as much as I would like to, but in the near future I hope this will change. I am hoping to write several new compositions, and perhaps even one for you!

I sometimes write wedding songs for couples, I sometimes write flute compositions, I sometimes write choral work. But, when I write I always try to write with meaning and for a purpose. I recently have had a series of men's choral works performed. The work was inspired by a photojournalist, John Gaps III who spent years on the front lines of battle. While he was recovering from a sniper's bullet, he compiled a book of his own poetry and pictures and named it "God left us alone here..." I invite you to experience a bit of his work.

Performed by the Julien Dubuque Chamber Singers under the direction of Kristen Eby.

Tadeu Coelho has been a huge inspiration in my life and when he was living in Iowa, he happened to ask me if I could compose a flute piece for him that incorporated dance. After some thought at a local college library where I found a huge book of Picasso's art works, I merged a frequent subject of picasso with some of my musical ideas and came up with the flute solo piece, "Harlequin". "Harlequin" is published by Tempo Primo and is available for sale.

Performed by Tadeu Coelho from his CD Life Drawing: Works for Solo Flute

There is a very simple piece I composed for flute and piano to end my CD, The Voice Outside. It was inspired by my environment. Every year, I walk around my neighborhood which consists of a large bluff on the Mississippi River. During the winter, I can see up to 100 bald eagles soaring above the river hunting for their next meal. I wrote, "Where Eagles Soar" for the CD and it has quickly become a favorite of many listeners.

Performed by Margeret Cornils from her CD The Voice Outside