My eclectic performance style is due, in part, to being steeped in so many musical styles from an early age. Music has always played a big part in my family. My dad gave me a 4-string tenor guitar to play at the age of five and I've been hooked ever since. I thank the Lord for my musical upbringing and for the many wonderful musical opportunities He's given me over the years...and it just keeps getting more enjoyable each year.
In high school, I joined the Wayne McGuffin big band and studied guitar with local guitar icon, John LaChappelle. John and Wayne were big influences for me, in the area of Jazz. In college, I kept busy performing in several Jazz and Fusion groups and teaching private lessons. A highlight of my college career was studying classical guitar with James Reid, from the University of Idaho. It was my years with James and my love of Jazz that really influenced my interest in fingerstyle guitar. Classical guitar study is great for sharpening technique across so many other styles.
I graduated from Washington State University with degrees in music and education and taught instrumental music at Richland High School for 10 years before taking a job with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Interestingly, making the career change has opened up so many new opportunities for me in music and has given me more time to pursue my musical interests (composing, recording, performing, and teaching).
I currently perform around the Tri-City area as a soloist and as a member of several performing groups. I play guitar for the Columbia Basin Jazz Orchestra and have played on various church worship teams for a number of years. On occasion, when we get the gigs, I play with other groups such as the Calypsonian Bandits (an afro-cuban/calypso quartet), Times 2 (a top-40/oldies band), and assorted Jazz combos.