Prior to taking on his current teaching responsibilities, Shawn completed his master of music in jazz arranging and composition at the University of North Texas where he studied arranging with Paris Rutherford and jazz piano with Dan Haerle.
Upon Mr. Haerle's retirement from classroom teaching, Shawn directed The Zebras (jazz keyboard ensemble), a group directed by Haerle from 1980 to 2002.
During his time as a graduate teaching fellow at UNT, Shawn assisted Dan Haerle, Stefan Karlsson, Mike Steinel, and John Murphy in advanced jazz theory, jazz ear training and other classes.
While living in the Dallas area, Shawn worked as a morning radio host on KERA 90.1 FM, Dallas' NPR affiliate. Before working for KERA he worked in different capacities at KNTU 88.1 FM -- first as jazz host then as music director and news anchor.
Shawn's bachelor's degree is in music education from Missouri State University (formerly Southwest Missouri State). While at MSU, Shawn was a staff arranger for the 320-member Pride Marching Band as well as the band's drum major for four years. His arrangements were performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Chiefs and Rams football games to name a few.
Shawn lives with his wife and two sons in Greenwood, MO, just outside Kansas City.