How old were you when you first got interested in music, and when did you first start teaching?

I had been constantly exposed to music from a very young age; both my parents were music lovers, and my dad was a semi-pro guitarist, playing in bands around Boston in the 1980s. Although I was interested in music (and dabbled with the piano for a few years in middle school), I didn't think it was something I could “do” until I was about 15, when I decided to start teaching myself guitar. It was so hard at the beginning that I almost gave up! I took lessons for a few weeks at the beginning to ensure I was holding it correctly, but after grasping the fundamentals, I figured I could do it myself - I’ve always been bad at sticking to plans! I started teaching professionally in early 2010, my senior year of high school, and haven’t stopped since. I teach students of all ages and backgrounds, and I love every minute of it.

Did you (or do you) play any other instruments?

Due to the nature of the guitar, I can play all the fretted stringed instruments relatively well, as the technique is mostly the same. I can play bass just as well as I can guitar, and am quite capable on mandolin and ukulele, but banjo still confuses me - I’m working on it! I started playing the piano in middle school. In college, they mandated that everyone take piano lessons as well, so I have some basic experience with it and can play a few simple pieces. I am also a pretty decent (and thunderous!) drummer.

Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?

I was largely self-taught until I went to college, so this is a tricky question! I had the privilege of studying with renowned jazz musicians Ray Vega and Jason Palmer, and they left a lasting impression on me by incorporating elements from various musical traditions while continually pushing to develop their sound, rather than emulating others. Their lessons on maintaining a creative spirit are a significant influence on who I am as a player today.

What is your favorite genre of music to play? To listen to?

Tough question! I listen to a wide range of music, from classical to pop, metal, and experimental genres. I try to maintain this reflection in my playing and do a little bit of everything. My music is more in a rock style, so I guess that is the most near and dear to my heart.

How often did you practice when you were a kid, and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?

When I first started, I made a point of practicing at least one hour a day and then taking a break. That was the bare minimum requirement I forced myself to stick to, although I would often do more if my hands were feeling good that day, sometimes up to three hours or more. Now that I am a professional, my practice habits have not changed, but the kind of practice I do has. My focus now is less on mastering repertoire and concepts, and instead, actually training the skill of creativity, and working on improvising and writing more ideas out of nothing. Because I play an electric instrument, another critical part of my practice is sound design, which involves creating different tones and sonic palettes with the instrument. I also utilize the guitar's technology as a tool, rather than just plugging it in. I continue to work on expanding my repertoire and learning new theoretical concepts, but my focus is more on sounding like myself and playing what I hear in my head. One thing that never changes, however, is the fundamentals. Most of what I practice still revolves around having a good time, good feel, good tone, and staying relaxed while playing. That stuff never goes away and is the foundation of advanced technique.

What was your most memorable musical performance?

It’s hard to pick one! I have performed in numerous shows over the years, and each one has had something remarkable about it. One huge highlight that stands out was having the opportunity to perform at Times Square for thousands of people in 2015. Freevolt, my current group, recently opened for funk legend George Clinton last year, and that was a fantastic experience from start to finish.

What do you like most about teaching young musicians?

One of my favorite things about working with young musicians is that oftentimes, they already have a strong idea in their head about what they want to sound like, but they don’t know how to articulate it. Because they haven’t been molded a certain way by years of playing already, they are already approaching the instrument with a certain sense of freshness. Having the chance to work with them and cultivate their creativity to develop the students' ideas is hugely rewarding.

What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?

Break everything into the tiniest chunks you can and play the chunks at a speed that you can play smoothly and comfortably. Once you have that, make it slightly more complicated, and repeat the process until you have it mastered. Don’t torture yourself by trying to play a complex piece right off the bat. Take it one bite at a time, and you’ll be cruising soon!

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

Does making music count as a hobby? I make some electronic computer music on the side, and I’ve done some light soundtrack work here and there. When I’m away from music completely, I thoroughly enjoy spending time outdoors and hiking with my dog. I also enjoy reading a good book and/or playing a video game from time to time. I just picked up a biography of Derek Bailey, a phenomenal underground guitar player from England. Can’t put it down!,

How old were you when you first got interested in music, and when did you first start teaching?

I had been constantly exposed to music from a very young age; both my parents were music lovers, and my dad was a semi-pro guitarist, playing in bands around Boston in the 1980s. Although I was interested in music (and dabbled with the piano for a few years in middle school), I didn't think it was something I could “do” until I was about 15, when I decided to start teaching myself guitar. It was so hard at the beginning that I almost gave up! I took lessons for a few weeks at the beginning to ensure I was holding it correctly, but after grasping the fundamentals, I figured I could do it myself - I’ve always been bad at sticking to plans! I started teaching professionally in early 2010, my senior year of high school, and haven’t stopped since. I teach students of all ages and backgrounds, and I love every minute of it.

Did you (or do you) play any other instruments?

Due to the nature of the guitar, I can play all the fretted stringed instruments relatively well, as the technique is mostly the same. I can play bass just as well as I can guitar, and am quite capable on mandolin and ukulele, but banjo still confuses me - I’m working on it! I started playing the piano in middle school. In college, they mandated that everyone take piano lessons as well, so I have some basic experience with it and can play a few simple pieces. I am also a pretty decent (and thunderous!) drummer.

Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?

I was largely self-taught until I went to college, so this is a tricky question! I had the privilege of studying with renowned jazz musicians Ray Vega and Jason Palmer, and they left a lasting impression on me by incorporating elements from various musical traditions while continually pushing to develop their sound, rather than emulating others. Their lessons on maintaining a creative spirit are a significant influence on who I am as a player today.

What is your favorite genre of music to play? To listen to?

Tough question! I listen to a wide range of music, from classical to pop, metal, and experimental genres. I try to maintain this reflection in my playing and do a little bit of everything. My music is more in a rock style, so I guess that is the most near and dear to my heart.

How often did you practice when you were a kid, and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?

When I first started, I made a point of practicing at least one hour a day and then taking a break. That was the bare minimum requirement I forced myself to stick to, although I would often do more if my hands were feeling good that day, sometimes up to three hours or more. Now that I am a professional, my practice habits have not changed, but the kind of practice I do has. My focus now is less on mastering repertoire and concepts, and instead, actually training the skill of creativity, and working on improvising and writing more ideas out of nothing. Because I play an electric instrument, another critical part of my practice is sound design, which involves creating different tones and sonic palettes with the instrument. I also utilize the guitar's technology as a tool, rather than just plugging it in. I continue to work on expanding my repertoire and learning new theoretical concepts, but my focus is more on sounding like myself and playing what I hear in my head. One thing that never changes, however, is the fundamentals. Most of what I practice still revolves around having a good time, good feel, good tone, and staying relaxed while playing. That stuff never goes away and is the foundation of advanced technique.

What was your most memorable musical performance?

It’s hard to pick one! I have performed in numerous shows over the years, and each one has had something remarkable about it. One huge highlight that stands out was having the opportunity to perform at Times Square for thousands of people in 2015. Freevolt, my current group, recently opened for funk legend George Clinton last year, and that was a fantastic experience from start to finish.

What do you like most about teaching young musicians?

One of my favorite things about working with young musicians is that oftentimes, they already have a strong idea in their head about what they want to sound like, but they don’t know how to articulate it. Because they haven’t been molded a certain way by years of playing already, they are already approaching the instrument with a certain sense of freshness. Having the chance to work with them and cultivate their creativity to develop the students' ideas is hugely rewarding.

What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?

Break everything into the tiniest chunks you can and play the chunks at a speed that you can play smoothly and comfortably. Once you have that, make it slightly more complicated, and repeat the process until you have it mastered. Don’t torture yourself by trying to play a complex piece right off the bat. Take it one bite at a time, and you’ll be cruising soon!

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

Does making music count as a hobby? I make some electronic computer music on the side, and I’ve done some light soundtrack work here and there. When I’m away from music completely, I thoroughly enjoy spending time outdoors and hiking with my dog. I also enjoy reading a good book and/or playing a video game from time to time. I just picked up a biography of Derek Bailey, a phenomenal underground guitar player from England. Can’t put it down!