In 1963, I began studies towards a Doctor of Music Arts Degree at The Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD while, at the same time, teaching full-time at the Institute. The following year, I took a one-year leave-of-absence from Peabody to accept a temporary appointment at the University of South Florida to teach music theory as a replacement for Margery Enix who returned to IU to finish her doctorate. During that year I performed with the Tampa Philharmonic. In the fall of 1965, I returned to Peabody where I continued to work on the DMA, teach, and performed as an extra, substitute, and full-time clarinetist (during summer seasons) with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. It was during this period that I had the opportunity to work and perform with Ignatius “Iggie” Genussa, principal clarinetist with the BSO. Peabody granted me the DMA in 1973.