"My kids often come back and tell me how much playing in the band changed their lives. Playing music — especially jazz — can do that to you. I've dreamed of making that experience available to every kid who wants it."

"The JazzED New Works Ensemble tries to fill in the cracks with classic jazz from lesser known composers, famous jazz artists who do not get presented in big bands, band leaders and arrangers who tend to be relegated to the fringes, and modern composers. Eventually I would like to have an ensemble that fuses the best of classical and jazz ensemble traditions with an emphasis on improvisation and even the creation of new works by living composers, especially students."

"A lot of people are surprised when they hear for themselves just how good a middle school or high school jazz band can be. But I know for a fact that when you raise the bar high, kids rise up and play at that level. My job is to set that bar."