I originally started playing music after moving to a new high school. My first instrument was a pair of cymbals in high school marching band. I had a great director who was willing to give anyone who wanted to play a chance, even if they knew nothing-luckily for me. Couple that with a drum instructor who expected everyone to be the best and rehearsed us until we were, and by the time I graduated I had played every percussion instrument normally found in a marching or concert band. I even learned a few extra ones.... brake drums anyone? My director was friends with a college director many states away, and after a recruiting visit, I ended up at Northwestern State University in Louisiana . There was (and still is!) a great music program there and I had a blast playing everything from the old standby cymbals to 4 mallet percussion pieces, in every setting from solo to ensembles to marching bands to symphony orchestra. My favorite mallet piece is "Rhythm Song", and my favorite orchestral song is Orff's "Carmina Burana". I can't pick my favorite marching pieces because I liked most of them. I also dabbled in handbells at a local church, and took harp lessons (even played a solo piece at the end of semester concert).

After moving back, I played in a couple of local orchestra's and bands (Treasure Coast Symphony , Port St. Lucie Community Band, and a few others that I sat in for) until my work schedule conflicted with rehersals. One day I was working on writing song lyrics and was told I should take up a melodic instrument to help improve my skills. I missed play music, and I was already friends with one of the area's best bass players (Chuck Faile). I borrowed a bass and started taking lessons with Chuck. I quickly found out a great thing about playing bass is there's a lot less equipment than drumset, plus I can practice without waking everyone up! I got my stage feet wet by playing at blues jams and made friends with some great players and people at the jams. That lead into me being called to play in several local bands, including aCute Affliction, Raspberry Boulevard, Nova Train, and several combined groups.

My musical repetoire on bass includes country, rock, blues and pop. If someone wants to hear it, I'm willing to play it! I'm also currently working with Steve Hoevertsz, a talented guitarist on an original album.