I was born and raised in Jacksonville, NC.
I was raised Catholic but stopped being Catholic or even Christian because I am gay and couldn’t reconcile being gay and Christian. I felt ostracized and alone for a long time. I continued to be spiritual, though.
I’ve been writing music since high school. I started my work in choral music composition while singing with Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus (TGMC) in 1999, becoming Composer in Residence in 2006. I created rehearsal audio, revoiced, and arranged mixed chorus music for men’s voices. I wrote my first choral arrangement of an original song, “Long Drive Home” in 2001, my first choral arrangement of an existing piece, “Beauty and the Beast,” in 2004, and my first truly original work for men’s chorus in 2006, “Red Rose.” All these songs were composed and arranged for TGMC.
The song cycle Where is Love debuted in 2008. I created a script to accompany that music, and the combined work is entitled Where is Love: For Those We’ve Lost. What I experienced while writing it is very significant to me. I have had the unwavering support of my friends and family. Even some of whom were strangers have become influences in my life.