Mr. Williamson established the bedrock for my understanding for jazz trumpet that I still carry with me to this day. He introduced me to the concepts of transcribing solos and practicing scales to be able to effectively improvise. Through his teachings and mentorship, I was able to make 4th chair trumpet in the top band at the Tennessee All East Jazz clinic my freshman year, and 1st chair in the top band my sophomore year. Furthermore, I was able to do well at summer jazz camps thanks to Mr. Williamson’s teachings. During my audition for a Florida State jazz camp, the trumpet professor complimented my playing saying I must’ve had a great teacher. I appreciate Mr. Williamson’s teaching as it put me in the position to study with more teachers and to be accepted into more opportunities as I moved through the rest of my high school and college career; these opportunities include making first chair trumpet Tennessee All State Jazz my senior year, getting accepted into the Oberlin Conservatory and Frost School of Music, and being able to play with Ron Carter and study under Don Sickler when I attended Columbia University in NYC. I will forever be grateful for having Mr. Williamson as a teacher, as it changed my life for the better.