My programming journey began in computer science class during high school—it introduced various concepts like iteration, boolean algrebra, and object-oriented programming through Java. This class challenged me to think differently and become a better problem-solver, which spurred me to further pursue the field and enroll as a computer science major at Bob Jones University (no, it's not named after the golfer). During my studies, I delved deeper into what I had only skimmed over in high school and discovered new technologies that solved old and new problems. I experienced both the thrilling and challenging aspects of computer science from desktop application development to algorithm analysis to compiler design. And WOW! Some of those classes were really hard—but they always turned out to be the most rewarding. Turning your teacher into Emperor Palpatine for a 2D platformer turns out to be quite fun!
As part of my last semester at school, I had the privilege of interning with a company based out of Greenville, South Carolina called SermonAudio. Their small team of around ten professionals works to accomplish their common goal and ministry of enabling preachers to easily get their message on the web. I worked closely with a couple members of their team on several projects, including a complete rewrite of their web app using Vue.js and connecting to Google Translate and GitLab API's with Python scripts. This experience taught me well how to become part of a larger purpose-driven team and to be an effective developer under the pressure of production timelines.
Graduation marked the end of my formal studies in May of 2022, where I graduated Cum Laude with my computer science and music degrees. Since then, I have essayed to expand my development skills by working on a few personal projects (this site included) and experimenting with different technologies. Browse my Portfolio to see what I've been up to!
My parents nursed in me a love for music when I was young—my mom began teaching me piano at age five, and I started playing trombone in school at age ten. Growing up in church, I was also surrounded by the singing and music-making of those always around me. Looking back, I clearly see the prominence of music in my formative years. The love my parents have for music continues in me.
Many musical outlets were presented to me during my middle and high school years by both my school and my community, such as all-county bands, pit bands for musicals, and a wonderful youth orchestra. These opportunities, along with my teachers and friends, always stretched me to not only play music well, but to communicate through my music. And of course, besting my friends in seating auditions was always a strong motivator!
I eventually went off to study music alongside computer science in college, where I quickly realized I had so much more left to learn. For my first audition there, I placed last chair in the trombone section of their music program—not even qualifying for the orchestra. However, within two years of weekly lessons and many, many hours of practice, I was principal of the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra! My teachers helped me to mature into a versatile musician while I learned everything I could about music performance, theory, history, and technologies. Besides my schooling, I also spent a semester interning with a recording studio engineer where I received hands-on experience with music production. And as a trombonist, one of my most rewarding experiences was performing as principal trombone with the Rivertree Singers in a performance of Mozart's Requiem Mass in 2022.
There is one vital thing at the center of all my endeavors—a love for learning. I know that true understanding has power to change me and the world around me, which drives me to consume it with an unyielding fervor!
Well, maybe that was a bit intense, but it's true. Anyways…
For as long as I can remember, I have cherished my time spent reading. Memories of summer days during my elementary years on a couch reading books like The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia hold a special place in my heart. And the joy I found reading tales of fantasy and mystery as a child cultivated in me a love for words and stories and scholarship. I remain fascinated by the stories people have to tell, and the scope of things that I enjoy only broadens with each passing year. Thus, deliberately seeking out history, philosophy, and theology makes me feel a little more fit to decipher my world.
During my sophomore year in college, my roommate came to me with a splendid job opportunity—a book mending position at the school's library—and for the next three years I trained and proved myself as a skilled book mender. But this became much more than just another job to help pay for college, and not just because of the unlimited free coffee and tea! I soon regarded book mending as my time for peace, and I developed a cool fondness for my tools and the process. The nature of the job lends itself to time alone, so I started listening to podcasts to help pass the time. Since then, I have become enthralled with the story of my language—English—due to the tactful presentation of its narrative by The History of English Podcast. I have also come to understand the meaning of classical things a little better by listening to Classical Stuff You Should Know.