I started playing guitar at the tender age of 6. My mother taught me Beatles songs on her 1961 Harmony 335-style guitar. Later my grandfather introduced me to Chet Atkins and I taught myself Travis-style fingerpicking. Through the years I went my own way with guitar. Drawing from such idols as Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and many more. Playing in Rock and Blues bands through high school with musicians almost 3 times my age.
Soon after I started college as a pre-law major, I played in university bands and was convinced by Dave Parmen, the Director of Music and former John Mellencamp guitarist, to take a few of my music classes after hearing me play at a local club. The next semester I switched majors to music. Concurrently learning piano, banjo, mandolin and steel guitar. After Vincennes I transferred to Ball State to pursue a double major in Classical Guitar Performance and Psychology–as well as taking music technology and composition courses.
Once I finished school at BSU I moved to Indianapolis where I taught guitar, composition and music technology, performing nightly in bands or solo at restaurants and private engagements. While also composing music for video games with the European music house, DeffMute. At the same time I juggled an internship as an Audio Engineer at a high profile studio in the city…
Listen to my portfolio of original music for video games, tv, film and songwriting.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, I offers lessons in all music styles to students of all ages.
Watch guitar and piano instructional videos and video performances various songs and riffs. Updated weekly.
A few years ago my friend Caitlin exposed me to the music of Lake Street Dive. This is one of the songs she recommended I learn to perform with her in a jazzy styled duet. I love the simple yet powerful effectiveness of this song with just piano and voice.