How old were you when you began studying music?

I started taking piano lessons when I was almost five years old and began singing in a regional choir at the end of fourth grade. While I took piano lessons and sang in the choir (both school and community) until I went to college, I didn’t take my first actual voice lesson until I started my undergraduate degree.

What is your favorite genre of music to perform?

Favorite is a difficult question. I believe that performing in a wide variety of genres and styles is essential to my staying creative as a musician and continuing to enjoy my profession. I sing Balkan and Baltic folk music, Renaissance and Baroque music, Americana, opera, and new composition… between these (and other) styles and switching between being a soloist, singing in a small ensemble, and singing with a large choir, I keep my projects varied. I think it helps keep my voice fresh and flexible.

How often and for how long did you practice when you started, and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?

My practice has undergone significant changes since I began at the age of 5. I can summarize them as the balance between focus and time, however. When I was younger and starting, the primary goal (set by my teacher, parents, and myself) was to maintain consistency in my practice. As I grew older, I increased that time, continuing to aim mainly at the “time” goal, until I started studying voice and had drastically less time for regular practice throughout college and into the beginning of my professional career. That’s when my attention pivoted to focus. You can’t physically practice voice healthily for as long every day as you can piano, and when you have a large number of rehearsals in your schedule, the amount of time you can add for individual practice is relatively low. So, it’s crucial to be focused during that performance time - have goals for it, reflect on it afterward, and ensure it’s working specifically on the spots in the music that present the most significant challenges, not simply going over the spots you already do well. With that amount of focus, the requirement for long marathon sessions of practice goes down significantly, which gives you time for pursuing other passions - or in my case, having a music career.

What do you like most about teaching young musicians?

Going back to basics is such a fundamental practice for all musicians, and what better way to remind yourself of that than teaching the basics! Younger students are also capable of so much energy and passion for music - it’s a new experience for them, and they’re learning for the first time about things that can be easily overlooked once they come so easily. Seeing the joy, excitement, and sense of pride in a student’s accomplishments at the piano is a terrific way to brighten your day.

When you’re not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?

When I’m not performing or teaching, I love to go on hikes with my wife or stay at home and bake/cook delicious food if the weather is less pleasant outside. I’m an avid board gamer and total nerd as well, so you can generally find me unwinding after a long day by reading a book, catching up with the latest Star Wars show, or playing a game with some friends.

What is your goal for your students?

No matter the instrument, no matter the ability level, no matter the age, I want my students to develop a passion for music - an enjoyment in and understanding of the way the musical language works, and how to build their fluency within that world. It doesn’t matter if they decide to pursue music professionally, develop it as an amateur hobby, or only engage with it later in life as an audience member; music training will enrich their experiences and broaden their horizons in countless ways.

Are there any upcoming performances we should be aware of?

I’m thrilled to get to perform with Culomba (an ensemble singing “polyphonies of the world”) at the SongRoots Polyphony Festival in Vancouver, B.C. Performing in such a broad range of musical genres with them and teaching those styles to audiences has been an absolute joy since moving to Boston. Then I will be singing with Boston Baroque for the seasonal Messiah performances and joining the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra in the chorus for their performance of Norma to start 2024!