Playing and teaching are very different thing,s but the experience gained in 14 years of taking students, playing and performance experience in bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, rock, folk, country, and other traditional music have prepared me to assist students in all of their lesson goals. Recording experience gained with bands including String Fever, Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband, Brian Joseph, Urban Breakdown, Danny Stark, The Black Rose Spiders, PonyRide, Malfeasa and the Manumission and solo projects, a number of contest wins in bands and on fddle, mandolin and guitar have given me a broad musical knowledge and perspective.

I began teaching mandolin and fiddle while still in Jr. High, organizing recitals and community performances for my students from the beginning. Taking students of all levels and ages, families and eventually large groups of children and adults have been great opportunities in diversified teaching experiences.

I believe that getting involved in making music early in your studies is important, and I try to introduce ear training, tablature and notation equally, and encourage students to attend activities outside of their rooms and our lesson time. After assessing your lesson goals and ability in our first meeting I direct a student's focus toward exercises and tools best suited for their learning.