I was born in Winfield, Illinois in 1984 and began playing the guitar when I was 14. It was the combined influences of my brother Steve and long-time buddies Tim Foster 'n Drew Fortson which attracted me to music in the first place. I said "Hey Steve, will you teach me how to play guitar after you get outta school?" After struggling for quite some time to accurately form a C chord, I was thoroughly inspired.

It was my mom who encouraged me to start learning how to read music. Half of my lessons were divided between playing classic rock tunes and learning how to read. My teacher Russell Turek was classically trained and studied with the classical guitarist Scott Johnston of whom I would later become a student.

My classical studies began in 2001 during my junior year of high school at the College of DuPage with Scott Johnston. Mr. Johnston was a former student of Christopher Parkening and, during a a typical lesson not unlike any other, he said "Have you thought about going to Pepperdine?" At the time, I thought Pepperdine was in Connecticut and was confused when I saw pictures of palm trees on their website. The following year I transferred to Pepperdine University and became a private student of Christopher Parkening.
The next three years were absolutely amazing. What a blessing and privilege it was to study under Mr. Parkening. A musical legacy and devoted Jesus follower, Mr. Parkening challenged me to pursue excellence in both my musical and personal life.
In 2005 and 2006 I had the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Pepperdine University Orchestra. And when I became a Senior, Mr. Parkening asked me to perform Elmer Bernstein's guitar concerto with the YMF for a special tribute to the late film composer. Talk about being nervous . . .

My Pepperdine friend Brandon Jones helped me record a CD of original instrumental guitar compositions and arrangements entitled Meditations (2005). He was even so kind as to record a couple on his own CD (Enlightenment, 2004). Meditations has been broadcast worldwide and even spent some time on the shelves of Hobby Lobby. Thanks mom. :)

I graduated from Pepperdine University with a BA in Applied Music and am now attending the University of Southern California to pursue a MM in Classical Guitar Performance under the instruction of Scott Tennant.
God is good.