About Me

Welcome to my bio page. Click to see my Curriculum Vitae and Resume.

I graduated in May 2009 from Rice University with a degree in orchestral percussion performance. I've since begun to pursue the potential of a career as a historian of the Ottoman Empire with an emphasis on the birth of nation-state nationalism and its implementation in the Balkans. This would more specifically cover a period beginning in 1799 when Montenegro was granted independence spanning through the Russo-Turkish war, the Congress of Berlin (and subsequent establishment of an independent Serbia, Bulgaria & Romania), the Balkan wars, the first world war and ending with the creation of a pan-south Slavic state otherwise known as Yugoslavia. My affinity for this particular historical topic, (aside from being Romanian) stems mostly from the incredible relevance such ethno-national issues have to history in general. More specifically, it often forms the impetus around which mighty multi-ethnic empires crumble and which still rears its ugly head today in what one might call fabricated nation states. As a man who appreciates maps I've also taken to empathizing with the cartographers tasked with delineating homogeneous nation states in a region that’s anything but homogeneous. Perhaps in this pursuit of study I can at least help educate future generations about the often misunderstood Balkans and, that even something that may appear as innocuous as a line on a map often hides a heated past marred by bloodshed and ethnic & religious conflict.

My studies in percussion may be largely concluded but I reasoned that even if a full time career in percussion was impossible, I could at least find some success teaching and performing on the side. I think I began playing in elementary school (perhaps in the fourth grade) and developed a passion for orchestral percussion at that early age. Growing up, I found numerous performing opportunities including orchestras, musicals and more. I was also fortunate enough to spend two years in the percussion section of the prestigious Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. After high school, I went off to Rice and continued my studies with Richard Brown where, in addition to a strict regimen of orchestral audition preparation, I played in many musicals and operas. I also got to study jazz drumming, Jazz vibraphone, Latin percussion and Indian Tabla. The shepherd school was different from other music schools of its calibre however, in that it was not a true conservatory. This means that the curriculum was not limited to music and I was consequently able to pursue some academic interests on the side. Overall my years at Rice were a great experience and I will never forget the people I met and friends I made.

Now that I’m done with school for the moment, I’m in the process of raising money for grad school which I hope to attend in the near future. In my spare time I enjoy reading and traveling and will even stop to climb a state highpoint or two.

I guess on a final note, I should tell you I take great pride in my cultural heritage. My family (the Manchens) are Transylvanian Saxons and yes, Transylvania is a real place! In case you haven’t heard of the Transylvanian Saxons (don’t worry, nobody has), we are a Germanic people who originated in the Moselle Valley region of whats now Luxembourg. The Saxons still retain this heritage in their language which is virtually identical to “Luxembourgish” the national language of Luxembourg. In the 12 century the Saxons accepted an offer from King Géza II of Hungary to colonize Transylvania and protect it from the Ottoman Turks (Transylvania is right in the middle of whats now Romania, but at the time it was at the front line with Turkey). Over the next several centuries they built castles and fortresses and fought numerous times to defend their new homeland. In 1459 they even had a bloody encounter with prince Vlad the Impaler who is perhaps better known as Dracula. In the 19th century the Saxons were among those in support of adding Transylvania to the Kingdom of Romania as the majority of its residents were ethnically Romanian. Many Saxons also fought in both world wars (my great grandfather was an artillery officer in WWI) in the Austrian and Romanian armies, the latter of which landed thousands in Soviet labour camps. For the remaining Saxons, life in communist Romania wasn’t much better. A large chunk of their population was literally sold off to the Austrian and West German governments to allow them to emigrate. Today only a small fraction of the Transylvanian Saxon population remains but their influence can still be seen all over the countryside in their fortified cities and fairytale architecture.