I started playing the drums when I was 2. My parents were the Bay Area based duo "Bobby and I" who performed all across the country and appeared on T.V. shows like "The Johnny Cash Show" and the "John Davidson Show". They recorded on Liberty Records in 1968 and were produced by the Legendary Tommy Oliver of "Name That Tune", Marty Cooper "The Alhambra Man", and Eric Jacobson who went on to produce people like Chris Issac. I used to hang out at their rehearsals and try to play along. My parents made sure to get me a drum-set as soon as possible and I have been playing ever since. My first teacher and influence was very well-know S.F. drummer by the name of Jon Rae. I learned so much from watching him play. I also studied with another S.F. drummer by the name of Bob Belanski who is an absolute monster drummer. He was the first guy I learned about technique from and gave me a strong foundation of knowledge that still serves me to this day. I played in every group I could while in school including Jazz Band, Concert Band, Jazz Choir, Show/Pop Choir, School Shows and local theater shows. If there was something going on, I was playing in it. I started working professionally when I was 14 years old. I had my own band that played weddings and corporate functions. I also played with other professional working bands in the Bay Area including my parents band. Yes, I needed a ride to the gigs before I was 16. I also stumbled into teaching lessons for a bit with some of the local "younger kids'. I found at an early age that teaching could be a great way to make a living but I didn't really take it that seriously until I was much older. I won various awards in middle school and high school including a $1000 scholarship for a snare drum solo. I also won a Marin County scholarship called the Buck Fund for $1000. None of this would have happened without the constant support of Emily Gates of San Marin High School in Novato, Marin County. She was my first and most important mentor in music. Of course, I can't thank my parents enough for the talent that I inherited from them and all of their support over the years.

I started studying with Anthony J. Cirone in 1990 at San Jose State. He is world renowned in the classical vane of music. He was principal percussionist of the San Francisco Symphony for over 20 years. I studied with him for 4 years and then switched my major to music performance. I played every type of music in college that I could get my hands on ranging from Concert Band to African drumming crew. I also played in the world famous Clown Band at Great American for a couple of seasons during this time. I studied improvisation with late Professor Dwight W. Cannon and learned a lifetime of information. I really miss him. Meanwhile I was still playing gigs in the Bay Area with some of the best players in the Bay Area. In the early 90's I played with the well-known San Jose Band "IBOPA". I also continued to play with pro bands doing lots of weddings and parties and also did some CDs for local artists. I graduated from San Jose State in 1997 with a B.A. in Creative Arts/Improvised Music (emphasis in Drum-set performance).

I have been teaching drums in Jose for 17 years. I am still playing gigs and recording in the Bay Area with local artists and bands. I am playing with my good friend Monica Marquis who writes her own original Neo Soul music. I also play with the Eric Bolvin Quorum which is a Jazz Fusion/Funk band.

Music and Drums has been my life. Teaching was a natural progression for me. I started teaching because it was something I believed in and I have worked hard all these years do be the best teacher I can be and deliver great service to my students. I have taught literally 1000's of kids and adults over the years, some of whom have become professional themselves in both playing and teaching. No matter what, I take my work personally, and I promise to serve my students to their benefit in any way I can for as long as they need. I also believe in bringing the highest level of professionalism to the private teaching industry. I also believe in honesty and integrity which is why this bio contains nothing but truth. There is no B.S. in here about being an award winning author or guy who has played with bands that I never played with, or credentials I don't have even though I have played with guys who rub shoulders with famous guys and have done some amazing gigs with amazing players and singers that most of the supposed "top notch drum teachers and players" in this area couldn't get a gig with if their life depended on it. The bottom line is that there is nothing flashy in here but it is all true. I don't need to lie and pad my resume to make me look better. I also have MP3's on my site that you can listen to prove that I can play. I also have 17 years of teaching experience under my belt. I also have the best teaching studio in Northern Ca. So if you want to go to a guy who is 22 with 5 years experience playing and 1 year of teaching experience who teaches in a closet or in his mother's garage, go ahead but you are wasting your time and your money. Come see me and I will show you why I have been in business for 17 years.