I’m most influenced by Chris Cornell, his style of music, how he sings, how he writes, and how many side projects he has been in.

Because of my production background and knowledge of other instruments, I think I could best teach students arranging and ensemble teaching. If a student is writing a song on guitar and wants to get their ideas across to other instruments, I could teach how those instruments could best compliment the guitar player.

I started with classical piano lessons when I was 7. Then when I was 11, I starting taking guitar lessons which made me return to piano and try to relate the two instruments. Then a few years later I was playing in bands, and wanted to learn how to fill every role, so I picked up bass and drums and continued with them through college.

Guitar - Marshall MG30GFX combo amp, Piano - Yamaha P71 digital piano, Bass - ampeg BA112V2 combo amp, Drums - Yamaha stage custom 5-piece

I love making detailed charts of songs’ full arrangements, so I’ve spent a lot of time listening to very layered guitars and layered vocal stacks and picking apart how many layers there are and writing down the individual parts. I think that’s helped my ability to play something by hearing it.

My guitar has a whammy bar, and my bass has 5 strings (low B)

I have experience working with children as young as four years old through to teenagers. Engaging younger children can be challenging at times, as they may not always want to focus on their instruments for the entire lesson. To keep them interested, I incorporate fun activities and games to break up the session. I also enjoy teaching slightly older kids because it’s at this stage that I see them set and achieve their own goals, often sparking conversations about music that can fill the entire lesson.

Earlier this year, I went on a small tour in London playing keytar. It was my first time playing outside of the US, so it was really cool seeing the difference between venues and crowds here and over there.

I played at Red Rocks when I was 17. It was just for one song, but still an important experience.

Probably Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. I’ve listened to that album so many times and it never gets old. It has rock on it, it has jazz, it has blues, electronic, and acoustic parts, so I can have a bit of all of that.

Friends, family, personal goals/growth, social causes, personal projects

Pop, Rock, Funk, Metal, R&B

Rima, B1G CH0MP3RS, Starry Eyes

Because of my production background and knowledge of other instruments, I think I could best teach students arranging and ensemble teaching. If a student is writing a song on guitar and wants to get their ideas across to other instruments, I could teach how those instruments could best compliment the guitar player.