I began playing guitar at age 12. Partly because of the film La Bamba, but mostly because of Nirvana. Studying at the South Bay School of Music Arts with Chris Shahin, I continued my musical journey listening to bands and guitarists like The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Helmet, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Pass, Primus, Living Colour, Lush, Charlie Hunter Trio, The Cure, and The Smiths.

Countless days spent practicing and jamming along to CDs helped me land my first gig with a local punk rock band, No Chips for Shain (eventually changing their name to Shrinking Violet). Only 13 at the time, I stood out like a sore thumb as the other members of the group were all between the ages of 18-26.  

With the experience of playing with other people quickly under my belt, I took the next logical step, playing in a modern-rock cover band. Stereo, part of the SBSMA performance program, was the band that introduced me to the stage. With a set consisting of music by artists like Prince, The Lemonheads, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lenny Kravitz, STP, The Black Crowes, Phish, Janet Jackson, and Metallica, I was able to learn many different styles of guitar playing. At the same time, I was also playing standards in a jazz combo and eventually a big band. In 1997 I joined The House Band, a touring R&B/Soul/Disco group fronted by 5 singers. The House Band's sets were originally more of a nostalgia act, but as we got more attuned to each other's playing, the band eventually set the bar for all of the performance groups at SBSMA with our energetic and fun dance sets.

Since 1994, I've done hundreds of gigs ranging from weddings, hotel lobbys and country clubs, to Art & Wine festivals, the California State Fair, and Disneyland. I have recieved every award available for an instrumentalist in SBSMA's performing program including, Best Instrumentalist, Best Overall Musician, and Most Valuable Player in addition to numerous others. I am also the first performer ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame while still an active member.

In October 2001, I opened my own teaching studio at SBSMA, one door down from the studio I took lessons in. With students from elementary school to adults, I am able to pass on what I've learned about music, the guitar, and performing.

A graduate of San Jose State University ('03) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Arts, I have now focused most of my attention to the art of jazz guitar. I have studied both in-depth and briefly with Calvin Keys, Mimi Fox, Sid Jacobs, Pat Martino, and Chris Galvan.

In 2004 I started Fonkiyata, a rock group with a focus on groove, atmospherics, and 7th chords. Keep your ears open.

I am on the Guitar Faculty at the San Jose Guitar School of Music in Campbell, CA and also at the South Bay School of Music Arts, located in Milpitas, CA. I am at SJG on Tuesdays and Thursdays 4PM to 8PM and at SBSMA Monday, Wednesday 4PM to 9 PM, and Friday 4PM to 7PM. Lessons are 30 mins. weekly, and are tailored to suit your needs as a player. I don't have any required text but I highly recommend William Leavitt's Modern Method for Guitar series for students who express an interest in learning to read music. For more information send me an email.