BIO
My musical journey began when I was 5 years old, when I decided that I wanted to play the piano. Nine years of piano lessons followed. Then at age 14, I got my first guitar. After that, it was all over, as they say. I played constantly, learning everything that I could from my record collection. I was particularly inspired in the beginning by Michael Schenker, Ritchie Blackmore, Uli Jon Roth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Allan Holdsworth, Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Akira Takasaki, Gary Moore, and Frank Marino. The bands that influenced me were AC/DC, Uriah Heep, Rush, Krokus, UFO, Queen, Kiss, Foghat, Judas Priest, Rainbow, and many, many more. Later on, I developed an appreciation for other forms of music including jazz, classical, blues, and flamenco. However, neo-classical metal is what I am most known for.
In May of 1990, I was featured in Mike Varney's "Spotlight" column, in Guitar Player Magazine, which is something that I will be proud of until the day I die. In June of 1990, I attended the world famous Berklee College of Music, which was a great learning experience. In 2000, I released my first record entitled, "Rise Above." This record featured the incredible talents of Shane Gaalaas (Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth, Bz's), Wayne Findlay (Michael Schenker) Keith Slack (Michael Schenker), and John Onder (studio musician-Shrapnel label).
TEACHING CREDENTIALS
In 1985, I began giving guitar lessons, and have done so ever since. My first teaching job was at a music
studio which was owned by a classical guitarist and used for the purpose of instruction. Since then, I have taught in many different music stores and in many different cities
around the country, such as San Francisco, Minneapolis, New York, and Asheville, NC.
I have been hired to teach group
classes for the public school system, as well as the Chrysler Corporation. My teaching
skills have been featured on TV as well as in the newspaper.
The main styles I have taught are
rock (50's-present), metal, blues, classical, folk, jazz and flamenco. Along the way, I have also taught a wide
variety of ages, ranging from age 5 to 66. Aware of the fact that it's more
than just sitting in a room listening to me, I have given “student recitals” which provided
a chance for my students to get that “live playing experience”. Everyone enjoyed that those times!
OTHER MUSICAL CREDENTIALS AND SOURCES
Click on the images below for more information.
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