Djembe with Miss A.

The Fiends (Misfits Cover Band)

Began my drumming career learning how the play songs by The Misfits, and performing them at local venues like the YMCA :)

The Jenny Kerr Band

Performed with The Jenny Kerr Band, a blues/rock singer/songwriter, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Spectrum Center, Soaring Eagle Academy, and Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative

Spent 13 years teaching students who are moderately to severely affected by Autism. Beginning in Oakland, CA and finishing in the suburbs of Chicago, this work included two years solely focusing on music education, seven years as a classroom teacher, and three years as a teaching assistant and substitute teacher. Additionally, my classroom teacher role included serving as acting principal for Soaring Eagle Academy during one and a half years of my time there.

In Your Home Lessons

Independently managed a roster of students aged 7 to 56, in the San Francisco Bay Area. All lessons were conducted in students' homes. The majority of lessons were one-on-one and focused on drumset. Additionally, group and private percussion lessons were conducted regularly, including a 6-month class for at-risk young students in San Francisco.

Drunken Cat Paws

Performed throughout California with Drunken Cat Paws, an instrumental jazz/funk/rock fusion trio.

The Castaways

Wrote and performed with The Castaways, a 50's/60's Rockabilly & Surf band. Additionally, co-managed and promoted a loose organization of underground venues in the Western Suburbs of Chicago.

Berklee College of Music

Lewis University

Illinois Department of Education

Current certification to teach Special Education classes with students aged 5 to 20 in Illinois.

Native Proficiency