About Me
I’m a Los Angeles-based drummer with 15 years of studio and live performance experience across a variety genres including pop, rock, funk, R&B, country, blues, jazz, and soul. In my playing, groove is king, and my priority is to lay down a solid rhythmic accompaniment that feels inevitable and natural in the mix. I learn songs quickly and am equally comfortable crafting drum parts from scratch or faithfully performing parts that have already been composed. In my teaching, my objective is to prepare you for the real-world demands of a working drummer, with an emphasis on the practical skills that matter when playing with other musicians. Whether your goal is to work professionally or simply become a better drummer, I’ll help you develop the skills to confidently take on whatever musical opportunities come your way.
My Philosophy
“Fills bring the thrills, but groove pays the bills.”
- Steve Gadd
Those wise words from the great Steve Gadd tell you everything you need to know to be a great drummer. Groove and feel is everything. Armed with 40 rudiments and the wide dynamic range of the drum set, the drummer yields tremendous power to set the tone of the song. Like a great warrior, this power is best expressed with restraint—only to be unleashed when appropriate. As such, the drummer’s duty is to use the most simple yet effective means possible to set the foundation of the song. I strive to follow this principle in every aspect of my playing and teaching. Face-melting fills certainly have their place, but like with every aspect of drumming, timing is everything, and it’s important to know when to cut loose and when to hold back. When those instincts are sharp, there is no limit to what you can achieve behind the kit.