Kaz is a self-publishing composer who specializes in writing for university and high school wind ensembles, symphonic bands, and orchestras. Originating from the Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown areas of West Virginia, Kaz has transplanted to the Adirondacks of New York. Their interests in nature, magic, and the rural environment are constant inspirations for their work. 

They graduated from Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a Composition concentration. Additionally, Kaz found themselves involved with a variety of Appalachian Culture classes. This helped fuel their passion for music of the Appalachian region, and provided additional inspiration for future works.

To date, some of Kaz’s work has been premiered at the National Navy Band Saxophone Symposium hosted by George Mason University and the Appalachian Heritage Festival hosted by Shepherd University. They have also been commissioned by other public schools including, but not limited to, Jefferson High School in West Virginia and Northfield Elementary School in Maryland.

Kaz also has a deep passion for conducting. They have conducted a wide variety of ensembles from pit orchestras for The Wizard of Oz and The Music Man to wind ensembles (David Holsinger’s Abram’s Pursuit) and other large ensembles. Kaz is also a bass clarinet player with additional experience in most other woodwind instruments. They have experience performing in small chamber ensembles, wind ensembles, large symphonic bands, pit orchestras, and chamber orchestras.

Kaz obtained their Masters degree in Music Composition at Syracuse University in New York. During both years of study, Kaz worked as a teaching assistant for the first- and second-year music theory classes. Additionally, they were one of the student ambassadors for the Society for New Music, a local new-music organization. Kaz also deeply enjoyed specializing in the contrabass clarinet for various performances with the Syracuse University Wind Ensemble. 

While attending Syracuse, Kaz also became very involved with the student pagan organization, SPIRAL (Student Pagan Information Relation and Learning); as well as the Spiritual Life Council, the student interfaith organization. These two groups drastically changed Kaz's life for the better and severely helped them complete their coursework at the University. 

After graduating, Kaz taught at Shepherd University in the department of music as an adjunct music theory faculty for the Fall '16 semester. While their former mentor, Dr. Mark Cook, was on sabbatical, Kaz taught Theory I for freshmen, Theory III for sophomores, and Form & Analytical Techniques for juniors & seniors. 

Kaz's plans for a career in conducting were changed in 2018 after a near-fatal vehicle accident left them with a limited mobility impairment. Fortunately, they are still able to play their instrument and compose. That said, much time has been taken in recent years for healing & recovery. One of the most recent 'next steps' in returning to music has been Kaz's involvement in the 2023 Adirondack Wind Ensemble in Plattsburgh, NY.

Followers of William Walsh