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Within the department I have slowly taken on more of a leadership role, first as the program coordinator of a new specialization of Jazz & Popular Music, and culminating in my current role on the Personal & Budget committee and a Deputy Chair for the department. I have been involved in every facet of departmental operations including presiding on panels to hire full-time faculty, adjunct faculty, college assistants, college laboratory technicians, and music tutors. I have led new student orientations and transfer fairs, trained full-time and adjunct faculty, and invited 11 industry leaders for workshops that have aligned our program with current music industry trends and job market demands.  

Since my appointment I have spearheaded five rounds of curriculum changes, authored eleven new courses, and collaborated on three additional new syllabi, significantly enhancing the academic offerings of our department. My leadership in forming articulation agreements with City College, Hunter College & York College has established robust pathways for our students post graduation.

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My collegewide service has been focused on both external representation, along with contributions to the community within BMCC. This includes developing relationships with WBGO 88.3 FM, Bronxnet TV, & the Perelman Performing Arts Center, providing performance opportunities for our students that give them the inspiration needed to raise their musicianship to meet the high standards of these professional venues. Within BMCC my largest contribution was a complete redesign of commencement entertainment, year after year since 2019, culminating in a large production in 2023 that included 52 dancers, 17 musicians, and a budget of $40,000. 

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Professional Activities & Publications

 

Outside of BMCC, my engagement with the music industry and academic community has been prolific. I have secured grants totaling $82,985.75, facilitating research and creative projects that have culminated in significant creative works such as an album of original songs with Grammy award winning artists (“The State of Things”, in 2022), a large album release tour that included sold out shows at major international festivals, and the commissioned composition “Rita” for members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. My scholarly contributions include publications such as the 300+ page book titled “The Encyclopedia of Arpeggio Mastery on Guitar” for Jazz Lesson Videos Inc, numerous online masterclasses and workshops, and a jazz education network conference presentation of my research titled “How I went from 400 to 10K followers in 18 months, the untapped jazz fanbase of Instagram”. 

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My social media following has continued to grow since this conference, currently at approximately 50,000 followers. This has aided recruitment of guitar students, while also grabbing the attention of guitar companies and record labels. In 2022 my instagram page was verified, and in 2023 I became an official endorsing artist for Elixir Strings. Since then I have been contracted to create user generated content (UGC) for elixir, enya music, universal, impulse & verve records. 

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CUNY & BMCC

 

Since more than 80% of CUNY students stay in New York, a recent focus of mine has been using my industry connections to provide local internship opportunities for students that in some cases lead directly to employment. I secured one of our first paid internships with NYC Guitar School, along with other partnerships with East Side Sounds, the Tone Academy of Music, & acclaimed producer Alex Da Kid (who recently built a recording studio in SoHo). 

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With almost 20,000 students and open enrolment, BMCC is a unique eco-system unlike any other college in the world. Our profound diversity is not restricted to socio-economic or cultural aspects, there is also an extremely broad spectrum of ability levels. To properly understand and meaningfully respond to this takes both time and experience. I understand our students, I connect with our students and I believe in our students. 

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Conclusion

 

As the lead of the music programs inaugural Academic Program Review (completed in Fall 2023), I am intimately aware of where we currently stand, and where we need to go to provide the best possible future for our students. The final chapter outlines some of these future items including the expansion of our internship program, FYE (First Year Experience), CPL (Credit for Prior Learning) & online classes. In the near future I am excited to finish developing a fully asynchronous option for students, secure more articulation agreements (including private institutions), along with updating curriculum based on data from student surveys and focus groups during our APR. Longer-term goals include developing a music production specialization, and continuing to respond to industry trends, standards and the ever changing job market.

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I am thoroughly devoted and invested in the future of the Music and Art Department, the college, and most importantly, our students. My track record of consistent and significant contributions to the department and college, coupled with my established leadership in my field through regular publications, grants, and performances, unequivocally demonstrates that I have earned my tenure. Being granted tenure would affirm that my dedication to the college is mutually valued, further inspiring and empowering me to continue my work. I see a bright future at BMCC and am here to stay for many years to come.