Professional Summary
My goal is to inspire others and foster critical thinking and critical listening at the higher education level, and I believe I can do so by teaching Native North American music.
My background in music spans over thirty years, and I have become proficient in Native North American Plains (Southern Plains) and American popular music.
I have experience in community-based musicological research with Southern Plains Tribal Nations, including transcription of Oscar-nominated song “Wahzhazhe” in Killers of the Flower Moon. I feel now is my time to teach, based on my Master’s degree and my past experience.
Education
Master of Arts, Native Studies, University of Oklahoma, 2011.
Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, University of Texas, 1994.
Teaching Experience
2025 Adjunct Professorship, Department of English, Speech, Humanities, and Education, San Antonio College, San Antonio, Texas.
2025 Native American Music (guest lecturer), University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.
2014 Native American Pow Wow Dance and Song, University of Texas, Austin, Texas.
2014 Group Guitar Lessons, Beyond the Bell Community Services, Bastrop, Texas.
2010 Indigenous and World Music (guest lecturer), University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.
2009-2011 Private guitar lessons, Sonder Music, Norman, Oklahoma.
2000-2011 Private music lessons in electric bass, guitar, recorder flute, and voice.
1994-2024 Southern Plains Singing Workshops: Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas.
1991-1992 Sunday School Teacher, Ponca Methodist Church, White Eagle, Oklahoma.
Research and Publications
2025 *Forthcoming* “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People): Osage Song, Settler Colonial Musicality, and the Academy Awards.” Co-authored with Maxwell Yamane and Scott George (Osage). Native American and Indigenous Studies.
2024 Transcription of “Wahzhazhe.” Composed by Scott George (Osage) for Apple films release, Killers of the Flower Moon. Song was nominated for “Best Original Song” at the Academy Awards.
2020 “Mo’s Book of Songs, Vol. 1.” Song book of original compositions. Pair of Pears Publishing. 108 pages, most in Western musical notation (inspired by the Jazz publication, The Real Book).
2011 “A Comparison of Western and Non-Western Approaches to Protecting Songs: A Dichotomy Between Intellectual and Cultural Properties.” Master of Arts Graduate Thesis. Native American Studies. University of Oklahoma.
Invited Talk
2025 “The Stories and Journey of ‘Wahzhazhe.’” Co-presentation with Scott George and Maxwell Yamane at the University of Oklahoma, March 5.
2025 “A Participatory Musical Ethnography of ‘Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)’ and the Academy Awards.” Co-presentation with Scott George and Maxwell Yamane at the American Studies Association Conference, Puerto Rico, November 21.
Musicianship
1993-present Lead singer for Southern Plains Style powwow drum group, Enemy Horse. Performed at numerous powwows/dances throughout Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas. Studied under Harry Buffalohead (Ponca), in White Eagle, Oklahoma from 1989-1992.
1999-2025 Professional musician in folk, rock, and popular music.
Licenses: Synchronization license with Heriberto Lujan for song, Polvo A Polvo. Co-written with David Brown. Pair of Pears Publishing. 2024.
Releases:
With duo, Smoke & Flowers, various singles, 2025.
With folk band, Mo Pair and the Ugi Moox: Live at Purple Bee, 2005 (2024), Live in Big Bend (2010), Live at the Starlight (2007).
As Mo Pair: Breathe in Rain EP (2023), Willow John singles (2022-2023), Forest Lawn (2007), Pink Floyd Happy Hour (2006), Yori (2003), Friday Nights at Danny’s (1999).
With rock band, Grass: V (2007), The Grass Big Bisquit Oogie Machine (2001).
With rock band, Groovin Ground: Dome (2004).
Relevant Experience
2022-2025 Plains Singing Consultant. United San Antonio Powwow, Inc. Planning Committees. San Antonio, Texas.
2019-2025 Studio musician. Voice, electric bass, recorder flute. The Roost Recording Studio. Jimmy George Arts. Manchaca, Texas.
2009-2011 Assistant to the Director. Jacobson House Native Arts Center. Norman, Oklahoma.
2009 Founding member. Southern Style Powwow Singing Sessions. Jacobson House Native Arts Center. Norman, Oklahoma.
2002-2019 Mr. Mo Music Program for Children. Round Rock Montessori (2002), multiple Montessori and day care centers, Beaumont, Texas (2005-2006), Maxey Community Center, Lubbock, Texas (2016), Blooming Scholars Montessori School, Round Rock, Texas (2019).