ABOUT
Info
A seasoned composer and sound designer, Shawn has worked in a number of fields from video slot gaming to live family entertainment. From rock to orchestral to ethnic music styles, Shawn has written, orchestrated, and arranged music for clients from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, and more.
Career Highlights include:
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Sound design & compositions for Konami Gaming, a world leader in the Casino Gaming Industry
• Compositions and Orchestration for live family entertainment including Ringling Brothers and
Barnum & Bailey and Jurassic World Live Tour
• Arrangements for operatic duo Siren Song performed to critical acclaim in New York, Connecticut, and Florida
• Arranged and orchestrated Guys and Dolls, Jr. for Music Theatre International
• Composed multiple-cue music for live worldwide performances of famous daredevils Bello Nock (Time magazine’s Clown of the Year), Nik Wallenda (multiple Guiness world record holder), and various international circuses -
Directed 80-voice choir and full orchestra for performances of Handel’s Messiah as a
fundraiser for local food banks in for 3 years -
Produced over 25 concert events for 1st Class Concerts, managing budgets of $80,000+
annually and designing all promotion and advertising material -
Produced famed international artists
including The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Dick Hyman, and The Dallas Brass
About Me
The nickname "Skippy" came from Shawn's time with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey band when he was starting his first tour as a keyboardist. While sitting in the band dressing room in the press box at Madison Square Garden, eating a banana and peanut butter, he saw on the TV that there was a recall on peanut butter---the same peanut butter he was eating! The trombonist said he wouldn't have had an issue if he would have bought a brand like Skippy: and the nickname was born!
Shawn was on the road with Ringling for over 5 years. After touring nationally, he moved into a production staff role helping to arrange, edit, and orchestrate the new shows along with industry leading composers and music talents. After Ringling closed in 2016 Shawn moved into composing and sound designing for video slot gaming and moved to Las Vegas. Always with the itch to perform, it wasn't long before he was subbing on trumpet and piano on the Vegas Strip in casino show productions.
Currently based in Southwest Florida, Shawn is a freelance composer and Sound Designer. After retiring from international touring, he now plays trumpet and piano with local musical groups and especially enjoys live musical theatre productions. He enjoys reading, boating and woodworking. Shawn lives with his wife and three children.