Ryan Goss

"In my arranging classes, I always try to find musical examples that the students can relate to when teaching, and I often invite my students to bring in and investigate the music that they are listening to. While not every student plans on being a professional arranger, the skills learned in class are applicable in almost every aspect of their musical career, and I try to help students appreciate the importance of being a well-rounded musician in their academic and professional careers. If I can inspire a passion for arranging in the process as well, all the better! It is a privilege to pursue a career in music, and while it should be pursued with drive and dedication, it should also be fun and enjoyable, so I try to foster and maintain that attitude in the classroom."

"As a professional composer and arranger myself, some of the things I'm always thinking about are color, contrast, variation, directionality, and intention, and I try to convey the importance of these concepts in music and how to think about them with regards to students' own writing."