I am a multi-faceted music professional with 10 years of experience in Higher Ed providing quality leadership, building transferable skills via music, and transforming lives with high-quality teaching and musicianship.

My

Story

Whats next?

The Beginning

I was steeped in music very early growing up Mennonite in a small Kansas town. My first love was jazz improvisation and that creative practice remains foundational in my life. In college I developed a love of teaching, learning and supporting educators. Helping people express themselves and build critical thinking skills brings me joy. These passions took me all the way to Eastman where I received an M.M. in Jazz Saxophone and Contemporary Media.

Higher Ed

After grad school I spent spent years as assistant professor eventually becoming a department chair and the college assessment coordinator. I enjoyed helping colleagues meet deadlines, create student learning outcomes, and solve problems.

Composition & A Love of Creativity

Something was missing in all the administration and teaching. I was craving an expansion of my musical creativity.  During the pandemic I studied composition with Dave Rivello at Eastman and I caught the bug. I love staring at a blank page wondering how I will fill it! I create cross-genre music that blends my knowledge of jazz in different settings. After 7 years in academia I’ve decided to merge all my creative & academic skills together to help folks beyond the walls of academia.

Now! 

My days are filled with composition, teaching, gigging, writing educational materials, practicing, rowing and building ways to connect with students, educators and artists. 

Let's chat about how we can work together to create music, help you become a better musician, dig into your assessment process, or engage your classroom together!

My Mission

What do I stand for?

To equip musicians and leaders with the skills, knowledge and resources for success in the ever-changing musical landscape.

  1. High quality teaching, consulting and leadership that prioritizes a healthy work ethic.

  2. An understanding that the language we use surrounding the grind is unhealthy and doesn’t work for a lot of people.

  3. I meet people where they are and tailor our work together toward their goals.

Things I Do Well

    • Developed and enacted departmental & college-wide assessment initiatives.

    • Developed student learning outcomes (SLO's) with integrated assessments.

    • Organized & gathered data from all stakeholders while managing daily operations and a team of four full-time faculty and ten adjuncts.

    • Oversaw KSDE departmental report preparation, strategic planning.

    • Initiated comprehensive curriculum revision while aligning curricular goals to new state standards.

    • Led strategic departmental planning and implemented updated music curriculum.

    • Worked toward successful HLC re-accreditation as Chair of the Assessment Committee

    • Served on hiring committees, strategic planning committee, Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts board, and the Anti-Racism Coalition.

    • Returned full-time tenured line to music department.

  • I enjoy seeing students work through struggles on their way to success. I meet students where they are to create a plan for achieving their goals. My teaching practice has taken many forms:

    • College Professor

    • Guest Artist & Lecturer

    • Festival Clinician

    • Private Lesson Instructor

  • I have 9 years of experience at all levels of Higher Ed. My goal is to connect and equip both individuals and institutions with the skills, knowledge and resources for success in the ever-changing musical landscape.

    For Students:

    • Preparation for Collegiate Music Study

    • Audition Preparation & Evaluation of Musical Training

    • Music Conservatory Admissions Consultant

    • Jazz Improvisation, Theory, Composition, Arranging.

    For Colleges:

    • Small College Music Curriculum

    • Woodwind Pedagogy

    • Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Pedagogy.

Career Highlights

  • Music Education and Performance Degree Eastman School of Music

  • M.M. Jazz Saxophone & Contemporary Media, Eastman School of Music

  • George Marge Woodwind Scholarship

  • Departmental Chair (Liberal Arts Institution)

  • Assessment Committee Chair (Liberal Arts Institution)

  • Co-Founder of the Wichita Jazz Collective (WJC)

  • Owner of Boettger Music & Consulting LLC

Resume

Academic leadership, Curriculum Revision & Assessment Coordination

C.V.

I’m a multi-faceted professional and musician. Get the full picture below.