I've been playing guitar for 19 years.  I started at the age of 13 with my dad's nylon string classical guitar and a book of chords, and spent several years teaching myself and learning songs by ear.

When I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to study music, but was determined to take formal lessons and learn theory before applying to music colleges.  I took theory courses  at Northampton Community College while studying jazz concepts with Lehigh Valley area guitar teachers Paul Demarest and Frank Flandorffer. 

In 2001, I began my studies in guitar performance and classical composition at The University of the Arts, and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies in May of 2005.  As a guitar major, I studied with renowned Philly area jazz guitarist Michael Quaile, and my composition studies were with Andrea Clearfield and Norman David.  I was also the recipient of the "Promising Artist" scholarship for every semester I attended.  

I've been teaching guitar full-time for 7 years, most recently out of my own studio and at the Long Island City Academy of Music in Queens, NY.  I am currently finishing an album titled Far Enough Into the Void, comprised of 11 instrumental compositions and 3 songs with vocals, which will also feature several guest musicians.  This will be self-released in 2013.

I've also taken lessons with acclaimed Guns 'n Roses guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, and in 2008 I performed backup vocals on his album Abnormal.   I've recently worked with Dark Empire, singing lead vocals on their latest release From Refuge to Ruin , as well as writing melodies and lyrics for 2 songs and contributing a guest guitar solo.  We've been gigging steadily in the NY/NJ area...