He has previously taught at Baylor University, and holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Arizona. He is the recipient of various national and international prizes and commissions, including the Jacksonville Symphony Fresh Ink Competition, the Truman State University/M.A.C.R.O. Composition Competition, the New Music for Sligo/IMRO Composition Award, the International Horn Society Composition Competition, Special Distinction in the ASCAP Rudolph Nissim Award, and several others. His works have been commissioned by orchestras, wind ensembles, and chamber groups, and performed at conferences, festivals, and concerts across the United States and internationally on six continents. His music is recorded on the MMC, Capstone, Mark, Summit, ERM, and Meyer Media labels, and is published by Southern Music, TrevCo Music, Jeanne, Inc., IHS Press, and Margalit Music.