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Performing with The MCC Faculty Jazz Ensemble June, 2017

Originally from Detroit, MI, I had lived most of my life in southeastern Michigan before moving to Colorado in the Fall of 2000. In Agust of 2005 I relocated to Waco, Texas, where I currently reside and work as a member of the faculty in the Music Industry Careers department at McLennan Community College.

I began playing guitar at the age of thirteen, and I think like most young guitar players was at the time only interested in playing Rock-n-Roll. I began performing and recording with various rock, country, and popular ensembles at the age of fifteen, and began studying jazz upon entering my undergraduate program at Wayne State University in Detroit at the age of twenty-five. I received a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies from Wayne State and went on to my graduate studies at the University of Colorado where I received a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy (the playing and teaching of jazz).

Since my introduction to jazz I have performed and recorded with jazz ensembles ranging from solo guitar to full jazz orchestra, including studio recordings, live performances and live radio broadcasts with the University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I and Jazz Combo I. While with the University of Colorado Jazz Combo I we won a 2002 Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award for Outstanding Performance by a Jazz Instrumental Group.

Performing with The Waco Jazz Orchestra May, 2015

I have teaching experience including classroom and private instruction as well as big band and jazz combo direction, and my writing and arranging credits include big band, jazz combo, and guitar ensemble charts as well as score reductions and numerous original compositions. At MCC, I currently teach Improvisation, Commercial Music Theory, History of American Music (online) and Combos as well as keeping a full studio of private guitar students.

I have been married since December of 1997, I have a daughter (Lindsey) who was born in June of 2000 and a son (Eli) who was born in December of 2006. You can see photos of my family on my Facebook page.

I am an avid archer, reader and snow skier, and a life-long fan of Detroit-area sports teams, particularly the Detroit Red Wings, UM Football and the Detroit Lions. I also enjoy playing raquetball, softball, basketball and volleyball whenever I get the chance.



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