Experienced Musician & Educator | 15+ Years in Performance, Songwriting & Production

I bring over 15 years of professional experience as a musician, songwriter, producer, and educator, with a strong foundation in both performance and mentorship. I began playing guitar at age 12 and quickly expanded into other instruments, songwriting, and music production. My musical journey took off when I founded A Desperate Endeavor, an award-winning punk rock band in Orlando, FL. We recorded our debut album with the producer of Paramore’s first record and earned accolades including Best Punk Band and Best Live Performance in Orlando. Our success attracted attention from labels such as Hopeless Records and Victory Records before the band concluded a three-year run. Since then, I’ve continued working independently as a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, signing instrumental tracks to an Australian label and collaborating with a wide range of indie artists. Alongside my creative work, I’ve built over a decade of formal teaching experience. I taught guitar, bass, drums, piano, and songwriting at the Winter Park Academy of Music and currently serve as the Director of a Bach to Rock music school in New York. In this role, I teach students of all ages, oversee curriculum and staff, and coordinate school-wide performances and productions. Outside of music, I enjoy writing poetry and fiction, camping and hiking, spending time with my dogs, and mentoring young creatives across multiple media. My goal as an instructor is to inspire students to develop both technical skill and artistic confidence, meeting them where they are and helping them grow as musicians and creators.

My teaching approach is student-centered, flexible, and creatively driven. I prioritize curiosity, confidence, and authentic expression, tailoring each lesson to the unique goals, interests, and learning style of the student. Before recommending any materials, I always take time to understand where the student is coming from—what excites them, what they want to achieve, and how they learn best. In music lessons, that might mean focusing on songwriting, performance, theory, or production—or all of the above, depending on the student. Lessons are collaborative and project-based whenever possible, giving students the chance to create something meaningful while developing their skills. Whether we’re learning a riff, writing a full arrangement, or recording a track, the process is designed to feel personal and empowering.