Biography

I grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania. As a teenager, I saw MTV for the first time and fell in love with the guitar.  At age 16, my mom finally got me one and I began lessons at a local music store.  Some friends and I formed a band and we began playing local events.

After graduating high school, I enrolled at Penn State University.  While there, I continued to hone my musical skills.  I took lessons from accomplished jazz guitarist Michael Dennis.  I was also playing in several bands, gigging all around State College.  Four years later I graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology.  The problem was, I didn't love science, I loved music.

In 1993, I went to Hollywood, CA to attend Musicians' Institute (GIT).  Great players come from all over the world to attend this prestigious music conservatory.  While there, I opened up my musical mind, playing many new styles of music.  I had always been a rocker, but now I was playing blues, funk, jazz, country, big band, and classical.  After a very challenging and intense year, I graduated with honors.

Returning from California, I settled in Pittsburgh, PA, teaching and gigging for the next eight years.  In 2002, I moved to Jacksonville to join a band called the WELL.  We enjoyed success for a few years, then broke up.

Since then, I have been teaching guitar full time.  I also write and record my own music, occasionally performing at open mics and other guest spots.  All told, I have been playing guitar for 31 years and teaching guitar for 21 years.