Prior to coming to Nebraska in 1986, Brian taught instrumental and general music in Verona, Wisconsin where he was the director of orchestras for grades 6-12.

He holds a B.A. in music composition and a B.M. in music education degree from the University of New Hampshire. His graduate work includes a masters in music education and conducting and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

His special areas of interest include creativity, composition, and instructional technology. He is active as a clinician having conducted numerous festivals, workshops, and seminars throughout the country. He is the author of two chapters of Dimensions of Musical Thinking, and a chapter in Why and How to Teach Music Composition: A New Horizon for Music Education, both published by MENC.

His involvement with Music In Education (MIE) (Yamaha Corporation of America) as well as instructional software development have gained him national recognition in the field of music technology. His work in software development continues to focus upon music education, composition, and distance learning and teaching.