I love to teach.

I love watching a student progress and push through obstacles to be the best player they can become.  The art of teaching is as intricate as the music our students are learning, and requires that we work as hard to continually grow as an educator. I learn how to be a better teacher every time a student has a lesson.

I teach students of all ages and levels and believe that the curriculum should reflect the student’s interests, not necessarily a standard formula. I generally teach in a traditional format including scales, etudes and solos in each lesson, but incorporate other styles and ideas to motivate the student and make learning music fun. I often use fiddle tune books to refine the student’s technique as well as encourage them to play outside the staff and the written note. This helps develop an ability to improvise, feel the style of the music and ultimately wander away from the printed page entirely. If the student strictly wishes to study fiddle technique, I have several books upon which I rely that impart the particular technique employed by the varying fiddle styles.

I offer praise and encouragement for students as they achieve, as I believe that a positive environment makes learning more fun. I may offer incentives for students to earn and coordinate annual student recitals. I think that performance is good for the soul (if not the nerves) and helps foster the discipline required to play well.

Most importantly, I want my students to succeed and play to their best possible ability. I want them to love their instrument and the way they make it speak their mind. I want them to be able to fully express themselves in the language of music, in whatever form or style they choose.

Education
• Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
• Bachelor of Musical Arts
• Blair Honor Scholarship,
• Instruction with John Kochanowski
• Instruction with Cleveland Orchestra members
• Instruction with Paul Rowe (voice)

Performing With (current & Past)
• Jim Gill (folk)
• Uzizi (alternative/progressive rock)
• Taproot (bluegrass)
• Wire and Wood (jazz standards & other styles)
• Pushing Air (Los Angeles)
• Freelance soloist
• Huntsville Symphony, Huntsville, AL
• East Side Irish American Club Ceilidh Band