Private Instruction
Group Classes
Roots & Rock
Adult Studies
MM, Northern Illinois University, Jazz Studies, mandolin and guitar
BA, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, Music Business and Marketing: (instrumental concentration, jazz mandolin and classical guitar)
Scholarships:
Hibbard Perry Scholarship for Excellence in Classical Mandolin Performance (Bristol, RI)
Mandolin Symposium Scholarship for Mandolin Studies (Santa Cruz, CA)
Additional Studies:
National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference, Los Angeles, CA (2022)
Introduction to Systemic Racism, Enrich Chicago, Chicago, IL 2021 (virtual)
The Savvy Musician in ACTION, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (2014)
Mandolin Symposium, Santa Cruz, CA (2009)
American Mandolin and Guitar Summer School, Bristol, RI (2003)
Mandofest, Lawrence, KS (2003)
Recordings:
Eric Bandera, “Waiting for the Sky,” commissioned and performed by Duetto Arioso, 2005
Ryan Bizarre, “Three Taverns, Two Cafes, and a Church,” mandolin, 2001
Geoffrey Muireann, “All Good Things,” on Live From the Blackthorn: Strong Enough to Bend, performed
by Mad Creek Medicine Band, Passion Flower Records, 2001
Sarah Bowman, Living, mandolin and guitar, Pillow Song Music, 2001
Mad Creek Medicine Band, Los Rio Loco Venda Medicina, co-writer/mandolin and guitar, 1998
Strange Neighbors, From in Here, co-writer/guitar, Passion Flower Records, 1994
My teaching philosophy is to start where the student is at. Nearly every student pursues music based on a past and/or positive experience that they have had with music. Whether it be a performance, a recording, something their parents listened to, or those piano lessons they wish they had continued -- music has something to offer to everyone. As students grow and begin to find their own musical voice, it is the role of the "teacher" to continue to support and nourish the student's excitement and pursuit of this artform. With an essentially infinite pool of music to discover and explore throughout one's lifetime -- there will always be a deep well of learning opportunities, and what we can learn from these experiences translates to the enjoyment of our everyday lives and beyond.
One of my hobbies outside of music is reading Science Fiction and Business books. I have way too many books!
I love Chicago for its vibrant music and arts scene. With many performing arts centers, museums, and amazing cultural diversity, Chicago is truly one of the most rewarding cities to be an artist in.
The mandolin, much like the guitar, crosses over into many culturally rich styles of music. This allows me to 'sit in' with many types of musicians and create 'new sounds' that did not seem possible before.