All I’ve ever wanted to do is play music. In 3rd grade, before my school would let you start taking lessons on an instrument, my friends and I would form bands, that would never play, but we would know who was going to play what instrument, we’d have band names, logos, song titles, and lyrics. Someone’s older brother had an 2nd guitar they could use, someone was going to get a bass for Christmas, and I was going to get a drum set as soon as possible. We figured we’d be rock stars going on world tours by the time we were in 7th grade.

     Well, turns out it doesn’t work like that. Learning to play an instrument is a lifelong pursuit that requires dedication, a strong work ethic, and years of consistent practice.

      I played through my entire school music program, from the summer before 4th grade to graduation. Taking every opportunityI could. Marching Band, Drum Line, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pit Band, and District Band. Meanwhile, out of school, I was playing Drum Set in bands with everyone I could. First my friends from the neighborhood, then other parts of town, and then surrounding towns. I played my first Punk Show at ‘The Espresso Bar’ in Worcester MA when I was 15 years old, and that was the start on what I would obsessively be doing for the next 10 years. Playing in 3-5 bands simultaneously with a rainbow of area musicians, practicing, recording, playing shows, and weekend road trips to play around the Northeast. Working on music every night while holding down day jobs. 

     Despite all this, I began to feel like I wasn’t growing to my potential as a drummer, and I needed to do something different if I was going to be the best drummer I could be. So, I applied to Berklee College Music in Boston, MA. I was accepted, got a scholarship, and began formal music school at the seasoned age of 26.

     I fully immersed myself in music school and committed to the opportunity to learn all I could from some of the best Musicians in the world. Finally, all my questions could be answered! Most of my time at Berklee was spent studying with Ralph Peterson Jr. Of the many things I learned from him, two of the lessons he instilled in me are to always listen to the drums musically, as part of the whole soundscape functioning together, and, that the music you make is a representation of who you are as human being in the world, so to make the best music you can, you must always try to be the best person you can.

     At Berklee I learned many crucial lessons from a lot of amazing teachers. To name drop, I also studied with or took classes from Mike Mangini, Bob Gullotti, Jackie Santos, Jamey Haddad, Terri Lynn Carrington, Bob Tamagni, Jon Hazilla, and Bob Moses. 

     I graduated Berklee in spring 2011 with a 4-year Diploma in Drum Set Performance and hit the ground running. Playing in 4 bands, teaching lessons at my practice space and doing house calls, while holding down a day job as a cook. I played hundreds of shows, recorded 8 albums, and went on over a dozen tours. 

     Meanwhile, in 2014, I got an opportunity to teach drums at a new music store in Worcester MA, E.L. Music, where I still teach. I started with 1 weekly student and 4 years later, I had 20 weekly students and a full schedule 3 nights a week. I view teaching as a craft in and of itself. It’s fascinating! The different ways in which every student learns, and finding their windows of interest through which to help them become the best drummers they can be. Getting to share what I’ve learned, in 30 years of studying the drums with the new generation of drummers, and contributing to music being a positive part of people’s lives is an opportunity I embrace and one I have a lot of energy for.

So here in 2024, we’ve changed the ways we interact, from learning to watching performances. I’ve made recording a bigger pat of my approach, while live performances, now regular but not constant are more meaningful than ever. Live video lessons via Zoom are now part of my weekly teaching schedule. I’m excited for the next few years.

For music students, music fans, and musicians. I’m here for you.