For over three decades, I have built a solid reputation as a teacher, mentor and coach to musicians from five years old to 75 years young. I am committed to providing quality instruction at a reasonable price. I do not subscribe to any one particular method of instruction but rather try to incorporate the best of what I have learned from my excellent teachers. Above all, I believe that an atmosphere of mutual respect and good humor are essential ingredients in a student-teacher relationship.

I cut my musical teeth as a young boy in southern California, playing music with my family and friends. My mother was my first guitar teacher. I later studied guitar and banjo with Frank Hamilton of the Weavers, fingerpicking maven Bob Baxter, violin with Kathleen Lenski, and numerous other inspirational teachers. Along with Hot Lips and Fingertips, I played in the pubs and clubs of Santa Monica and the "greater" Los Angeles area. I competed at the venerable Topanga Canyon Banjo and Fiddle Contest in the 1970s and '80s and was awarded 1st prize in Advanced and Professional fiddle, and along with the Durant Family Band won 1st prize in the Band Division. Mostly had a darned good time picking and grinning with my friends! ☺