I started studying music in the fourth grade when I played clarinet in the school band. A couple years later, I began playing guitar and developing my musical identity by teaching myself to play songs by Nirvana, The Beatles, Green Day, and Hendrix. In high school, I took part in a yearly Rock 'n' Roll Revival show and played with various bands. While attending Salisbury University and Berklee College of Music, I focused on music theory, composition, songwriting, and private studio teaching.

For several years, I wrote and recorded with Deleted Scenes, a D.C. based band. We toured extensively across the continental U.S. and through Canada.