Justin C.

Flutist and composer Justin hails from St. Louis, MO, where he began his musical education at age 7. He holds a Bachelor's and Master's in music performance as well as a Graduate Jazz Studies Certificate from the University of Missouri. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Arts degree in music performance with a secondary emphasis in composition at the University of Northern Colorado. Equally comfortable in a classroom, recording studio, concert hall, or jazz lounge, Justin's eclectic musical background and broad artistic interests make him a versatile performer and a knowledgeable instructor. He has studied flute with Steve Geibel, Alice Dade, and James Hall; jazz composition and improvisation with Arthur White; and composition with Stefan Freund, Paul Elwood, and Czech film composer Ludek Drizhal. His teaching philosophy is simple: the student will learn to think, create, and solve problems rather than simply follow instructions. Not all students want to become professional musicians, but the skills they develop studying with Justin will serve them no matter where their lives take them. As a composer, Justin's output ranges from solo piano works and chamber music to full orchestral scores and incorporates his diverse musical experiences in its creation. His pieces can be challenging, humorous, socially conscious, evocative, or even bizarre, all in turn.