Most of Jody’s interest in composition developed in the years he served as director of Children’s Education at First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence (2000-2006) where he wrote and staged children’s programs with original music for church holiday seasons and summer programs.
After returning to work in higher education at the University of Kansas, he wrote “Winter’s Promise,” a choral piece performed by South Singers at South Middle School (now Billy Mills Middle School) in 2007.
The impetus for “Aging Out: A Musical” came from his work on the Douglas County Citizen Review Board where he has served as a volunteer since 2000, monthly participating in panel hearings for children in child welfare. This work provided a connection to the annual Governor’s Conference for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect where three of the pieces from the musical have been performed.
Jody currently works in training and development for academic advisors but continues to spend many hours at the piano composing and playing. Talented Jack Enterprises is the home of his creative projects—compositions, writings, and most recently, “Aging Out—A Musical.”