At about five years old, I got my hands on my first drum set, a Mickey Mouse set given to me by my father. Needless to say, I tore it up fairly quickly and knew I didn’t want to stop playing. My dad always encouraged me to play music, and he would even wake me up at parties to play for his friends. Inspired by my father's piano playing, my older brother's drumming skills, and my sister's venture to Berklee, I found my calling. The clarinet was my first “official” instrument, but the magnetic pull of drums always beckoned. Drumming came easily to me, and I knew I was good at it. Also, it’s a lot of fun!
The real turning point came in high school during the production of "Little Shop of Horrors," where I realized the thrill of playing with a band. At 16, I found myself playing with seasoned musicians in "Skin and Bones," a group of 28-year-olds. We mainly performed in bars, so I needed notes from my parents to allow me to play. Working alongside more advanced players and learning from older band members was pivotal in my growth as a musician. After attending college, I returned to stumble upon a jazz series in Aspen, which inspired me to continue drumming as my career. A six-year stint in LA saw me playing in unexpected places, including a jazz quartet appearance on General Hospital.
Specializing in funk and soul jazz, my musical abilities continued to evolve. Today, my passion extends beyond the classroom, where I continue performing with various bands on a regular basis. I love passing this experience and energy onto my students and encouraging them to create their own music in bands.
