My journey with the guitar began at the young age of eight. I dedicated years to mastering Classical guitar at the University of South Dakota and delved into the world of Jazz guitar at Wichita State University. For me, music has always been more than just a passion; it has been my sanctuary and a means of profound healing, intertwined with the practice of meditation.
In 2014, I decided to take a hiatus from the music scene. After performing at the same venue night after night for 14 years, I found myself burnt out on the music and the business. This led to a significant decision - I put down the guitar for a period of five years.
The year 2020 marked a pivotal moment as I contemplated selling my guitars. However, fate had a different plan. As I began cleaning them and capturing their essence through photographs, my fingers naturally found their place on the strings once again. It was a rekindling, a reacquaintance with the guitar, but this time, I yearned for a transformation. I craved a fresh perspective, a departure from the familiarity of my musical past. This desire birthed a radical shift in my approach to the instrument. I chose to unlearn and relearn, steering clear of the conventional E.A.D.G.B.E. tuning in favor of the evocative C.G.C.F.G.C. I embraced a right-hand finger technique, exclusively playing on a nylon string guitar, embellished with an array of effects to enrich its resonance.
The outcome? A newfound sense of exploration and inspiration. My music has been likened to the soul-stirring soundtrack of a movie, while others perceive it as primal dance music with entrancing rhythms. It's an intriguing blend of jazz, classical, and ambient influences, or as some would say, an atmospheric odyssey.
"My performances are a celebration of the present moment. I'm attuned to the audience's vibe during live shows and the ambience of the venue. I play to evoke emotions, not to showcase technical prowess. My goal is to awaken the listener to the richness of the moment."