Hailing from Wichita, Kansas I feel fortunate to have been raised in an amazing family.  Then I did the college thing in Philadelphia, Kansas, and Oregon.  During this time I was able to earn three bachelors degrees, two masters degrees, and a doctorate in music while playing with professional orchestras, accompanying classical music celebs, touring Europe, and studying with incredible professors.  My focus during this time was on mastering the standard cello repertoire, composing avant-garde music, and learning how to improvise.

Since then I’ve straddled the professional teaching world and the “underground” cello world. I currently have 75 students, including those in the Urban School Chamber Orchestra, the electronic musicians of College of Marin, and 25 private students. I offer private lessons in cello, piano, theory/composition, improvisation, and electronic music, and often integrate multiple subjects with one student.  

I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to play in most of the Bay Area’s finest venues, as well as the not-so-fine ones. I also feel fortunate to have had many touring adventures in North America and Europe with various ensembles. In the past eight years living in San Francisco, I have performed with new music ensembles, string quartets, rock bands, circus bands, hip-hop crews, jazz ensembles, world music ensembles, singer/songwriters, radio productions, theater companies, and dance companies. I have premiered over 150 new works, and have recorded on over 100 albums. 

The Seven Points is a cello method book which presents a unique mapping technique which helps intermediate and advanced players to master pitch accuracy on the entire fingerboard through a sequence of exercises.   I use this book in my private cello lessons and in group workshops.

One of my favorite things to do is to plug the cello in and perform a multi-genre solo show, featuring original compositions using electronics and “live looping” techniques.  I perform this show in formal concert hall settings as well as house concerts, restaurants, bars, art galleries, etc.  I also play for parties, weddings, funerals, recording sessions, gigs, etc.  Please e-mail me for rates and availability.