For a relevant biography, see My Real Biography.

 

I've given several hundred performances throughout the United States working with varied artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Bob Mintzer, Gary Burton, and Gregory Hines. As a guitarist in the military, I've performed in unlikely places such as Baltimore Harbor Independence Day, Times Square, a Miss America Parade, a private memorial for a U.S. President, returning home of the troops, retirement ceremonies for generals. I was called to perform various styles from classical to jazz to metal (a personal favorite). In addition to traditional classical performances both solo and chamber, Historical Period Instruments have placed me in the orchestra pit for both operas, and various chamber groups.

 

I've studied with world-renowned artists and educators such as leading pioneer in guitar education for children Rodney Stucky; Julian Gray of the prestigious John Hopkins Peabody Institute; 4-time gold medal winner Ricardo Cobo; and established guitarist, composer and educator Jeffrey Van. I've performed in numerous master-classes including Andrew York, Manual Barrueco, Sharon Isbin, Eliot Fisk, and Eduardo Fernandez. During my earliest training as an educator under the hand of Tom Poore of The Cleveland Institute of Music, I also worked with “The Dean of Guitar” Aaron Shearer. I received my Doctor of Music Arts and Master of Music from the University of Minnesota. I received my Bachelor of Music from the University of Kentucky.

 

Most of my efforts have been given to guitar education. I have taught at Eastern Kentucky University, The University of Wisconsin River Falls, and at The University of Minnesota where I more than quadrupled the size of the general elective program. I've adjudicated in competitions for the Schubert Club and Southern Guitar Festival. My greatest achievements have been outside the university making countless students’ lives more gratifying by sharing the guitar with them for more than 30 years. I've built the most successful guitar studio in both The Twin Cities, and Charlotte, NC. In March of 2024, I returned to the Twin Cities where I teach in-person and world-wide via Zoom. I also serve on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Guitar Summer Workshop.