Kevin is a long-time resident of Madrid, Spain, where for 15 years he built up woodwind programs at the British Council School and the Escuela Municipal de Música de Collado Mediano, nearly tripling enrollment in each and sending on many students to careers as professional musicians. In 2012 he was named Coordinator of the Music 21 program at BCS, overseeing the work of 11 music teachers with over 400 students and directing the jazz program. At BCS he also founded the curricular ClassBand project in partnership with Yamaha Europe, launching 18 inclusive concert bands across 4th, 5th and 6th grades and involving over 350 students.
His earned degrees include a Master's in Music summa cum laude from Western Washington University, Gold and Vermeil medals in saxophone and chamber ensemble performance from the Bordeaux Conservatory, France, and a Bachelor's in English Literature cum laude from the University of Santa Clara, California. His convalidated degrees (UE qualifications) from the Spanish Ministry of Education are the Título Superior de Música in Jazz (the highest possible degree in the conservatory system), the Licenciatura (Bachelor's) in English Philology and the Professor of Saxophone degree.
As a performer, his versatility and musical expertise have been notable trademarks, and in the past two decades he has maintained an intense level of professional activity. As a free-lance musician, he has accompanied many of Spain's top recording artists in national and international tours, performing in France, Germany, Portugal, México, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Chile and Gabon. He was a founding member and lead alto of Spain's Orquesta Nacional de Jazz and has recorded soundtracks for a number of Spanish films, television programs and radio shows. In Madrid, he played in the pit orchestra for musicals and other theatrical productions, including those of the Spanish National Theatre Company. In 2011, in recognition of his musical trajectory, he was named Yamaha® Performing Artist. As a composer, his numerous works are registered with the Sociedad General de Autores de España (SGAE).
Completely bilingual and bicultural, Kevin has dedicated much of his time to strengthening music education in Spain, Latin America and the United States. He is Key Teacher for the European ClassBand project sponsored by Yamaha Music. During 2006-2016, he was the official Representative for Madrid and central Spain for the United Kingdom's not-for-profit organization, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, organizing music exams and evaluations as well as courses in professional development for teachers. In 2018 he was appointed Music Examiner for the International Baccalaureate program world-wide.
2006- Titulo Superior de Música, Especialidad Jazz (highest possible official conservatory degree), convalidated by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.
2006- Licenciatura (Bachelor´s's Degree) in Filología Inglesa (English Philology), convalidated by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.
1992- Professor of Saxophone (official conservatory degree), convalidated by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.
1988- Master of Music Degree (summa cum laude) in Saxophone Performance from Western Washington University (student of Chuck Israels)
1986- Gold and Vermeil medals in Saxophone Chamber Ensemble and Saxophone Performance from the Bordeaux National Conservatory, France (student of Jean-Marie Londeix).
1981 to 1984- Undergraduate music studies at the University of Northern Colorado (student of Roger Greenberg) and California State University, Hayward (student of William Trimble).
1980- Bachelor´s of Arts Degree in English Literature (cum laude — Honors Program) from the University of Santa Clara, California.
1976- High School Diploma from Loyola High School, Los Angeles, California.
Has attended seminars and master classes with jazz greats Barry Harris, Max Roach, Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis and Phil Woods, among others.
