About
I attended my first drum lesson on Monday, April 4th, 2005...and never stopped playing.
School & Work
I've been in the Symphonic Bands and Jazz Ensembles every year when I was at Meads Mill Middle School and Northville High School (NHS). While on Drumline in the NHS Mustang Marching Band, I played snare during freshman and sophomore years, and quints as Drum Captain during junior and senior years.
I graduated from NHS in June 2014. In August 2017, I became the Percussion Instructor for the NHS Band. I received my Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a Music Minor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in April 2018. I graduated with a Master of Public Health in Population and Health Sciences and a Graduate Certificate in Health Behavior & Health Equity from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor School of Public Health in April 2021.
I worked for Michigan Medicine as a Student Research Associate with the Cancer Surveillance and Outcomes Research Team (CanSORT) from August 2015 to September 2021. In February 2022, I began a full-time job with Michigan Medicine as a Research Area Specialist Associate with the Cognitive Health Services Research Program (COG-HSR).
In July 2023, I became the Assistant Band Director for the NHS Band. As of August 2024, I transitioned away from the public health sector and am working solely with Northville Public Schools District as a full-time substitute teacher in addition to my roles with the NHS Band.
Experience & Teaching
One of my older brothers was gifted a drum set for his 14th birthday in 2004, so I started playing around on the drums back then. I began formal instruction in 2005 from my teacher Jim Ryan, which spanned over a decade. I have taught private lessons since 2012.
For the Northville High School Band, I've been the Drumline and Front Ensemble Percussion Instructor since August 2017 and the Assistant Marching Band Director since July 2023. I also guide the Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble percussion sections to prepare for performances. I've taught Northville percussionists and non-percussionists to help them make it on Drumline and further advance their musicianship. I can provide valuable instruction for success in the Northville Bands and various other band settings as I've been attending Northville's Marching, Symphonic, and Jazz performances and festivals since 2003.
In addition to teaching virtual lessons at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to record several of Northville's instrumental performances, including the 9th/10th Grade and 11th/12th Grade Symphonic Bands for Virtual Festival in May 2021 and a Jazz Ensemble Concert in June 2021. I helped livestream and play drums for the all-new Northville 6th Grade String Orchestra Inaugural Virtual Concert in May 2021. Lately, I have helped organize student percussionist involvement for the String Orchestra Program to gain performance experience outside of the Band Program, especially since the String Orchestra Program has expanded to NHS.
In November 2021, I went through training to become a substitute teacher through EDUStaff for Northville Public Schools. From November 2021 through February 2022, I taught all grades K-12, consistently subbing for elementary music; middle school band, choir, and orchestra; and high school band classes. I continue to participate in middle and high school band and orchestra performances as a guest professional musician.
I direct the NHS Percussion Ensemble made up of both Front Ensemble and Drumline members to perform at the MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festivals and various Northville High School Band concerts. The Symphonic Bands, Jazz Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble consistently earn 1st Division Ratings at the District- and State-Level MSBOA Band, Jazz, and Solo & Ensemble Festivals.
In November 2022, I held the first Drumline Clinic at Plymouth Christian Academy (PCA) to help jumpstart their Marching Band and Pep Band activities.
Performance
I'm the drummer for the Oakland Community College Jazz Band, Premier Big Band, Swing City Big Band, Rea Deal Big Band, Swing Syndicate Big Band, and a percussionist in the Canton Concert Band. I play with various other groups and consistently sit in with several Symphonic Bands, Musical Pit Orchestras (including NHS, PCA, and others), and Jazz Combos & Big Bands for rehearsals and performances. I also lead New Baseline Jazz, which I founded in 2014. I serve on the Worship and Tech Teams at Calvary Baptist Church in Canton and Faith Christian Worship Fellowship (FCWF) in Livonia. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, I began recording and mixing music and creating music videos for drum covers and FCWF virtual service worship songs. This skill has led me to efficiently record, edit, and mix live recordings.