Bio

I began playing guitar in 1990 when I was at the end of my senior year in high school. I was completely self-taught for about six years. During this time period I learned everything from the folk songs of Bob Dylan, to the screaming blues of Jimi Hendrix and the sophisticated bebop lines of Pat Martino and Joe Pass.

At the age of 24, I entered Modesto Junior College as a music major and received formal music training on guitar as well as other instruments including piano and voice. I also received training in many other areas of music like theory, composition, orchestration, and conducting. The range of musical time periods and styles that I studied in college were broad, and I performed music from each of the major musical time periods: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic & Modern. I majored in both guitar and voice. In addition to giving solo and ensemble guitar recitals, I was a member of advanced vocal groups like the MJC  Singers, and MJC Jazz Singers.

I transferred to California State University, Stanislaus and continued to study and perform guitar, voice & piano. I received a B.A. in music from CSU, Stanislaus in 2005.

While I was still in college I began teaching private guitar, bass, piano & voice students. I have continuously taught private students for the last 21 years. I have taught students from age 4 to 86 in many different styles such as folk, blues, rock, pop, jazz, classical, heavy metal, and country.