Clarence P.

As a child, Clarence saw one of his older friends playing a trombone in elementary school band and immediately became intrigued. He approached his father about renting one and thus began Clarence's musical experience. George Ross, a nationally renowned contrabassoonist, was his first music instructor. After elementary school, Clarence continued to play trombone in middle school under the direction of Dave Williams, a well-known woodwinds player in the swing jazz community. He became first chair, and then furthered his musical experience in high school under Paul Cartwright, a cellist in the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and Robert Momchilov. He also learned to play the baritone horn and was awarded a medal for outstanding musicianship his senior year. With the encouragement of both his parents and Mr. Momchilov, Clarence applied for and was accepted into the music program of Virginia Commonwealth University.

While at VCU, Clarence played with other bands and developed a desire to compose music. Because of this desire, he also saw the value of learning and knowing the piano and began piano training. His instructors would say, "The better you play, the better you will compose." After earning a Bachelor of Music Education Degree, Clarence decided to attend Graduate School at Virginia Commonwealth University studying music composition and electronic music.

Clarence has made quite a career for himself as a musician over the years. He has been involved with a number of performing arts schools and programs, has experience in the film industry, and has even gotten a couple of songs published in Nashville. Clarence has also gained significant experience with composition as well as video and audio recording.

In addition to all of these accomplishments, Clarence has been teaching piano for over 30 years. He has taught many students of all ages. A number of his students have gone on to major in music. Clarence has been blessed with a number of outstanding instructors who have taught him that hard work, persistence, and the desire to do well lead to success. Clarence also believes that along with instruction and learning, patience is an important attribute. He tries to pass these lessons on to his students and strives to be conscientious towards them as his instructors were to him.

Clarence is currently involved with a 501(C)3 performing arts organization. He retired from being one of the individuals in charge of the audio and video ministry at his church so that he could devote more time teaching and composing.