A Complete
Musical Experience
Perfect For
Every Special Occasion
Wedding Ceremony
Processional, recessional, and all the sacred moments in between. Classical guitar sets a tone of grace and romance as you begin your new chapter together.
Cocktail Hour & Reception
Keep guests entertained with elegant live music during cocktail hour and the reception. The perfect musical backdrop for mingling, toasting, and celebrating.
Gala Dinners & Award Ceremonies
Add a touch of prestige to your gala or awards event. Live classical guitar creates an atmosphere of distinction that complements the formality of the occasion.
University & Conservatory Events
Concerts, masterclasses, and lectures for academic institutions. Inspiring the next generation of musicians with world-class performance and pedagogy.
Intimate Private Celebrations
Anniversary dinners, milestone birthdays, and special family moments. Nothing says love and care like the gift of live classical guitar for someone you cherish.
Find a spot near to you
All you can learn in a
8-week course
Designed to give you the basic tools to take your playing in any direction.
Adult environment with food and beverages available to order.
Topics covered:
- Guitar Types, Care, and Tuning
- Chords, Chord Charts, and Progressions
- Rhythm Playing
- Basic Theory
- Scales – Pentatonic, Blues, Major and Minor
- Tablature Explained
my music
WATER
These pieces influenced me to enter the world of Classical Guitar and to continue to explore and delve into a realm from which I have never looked back.
The selections are Fantasias, Ground Songs, Preludes, Folk Melodies, and an Original Composition. Most are pieces of my past; reworked and relived again.
biography
About Me
My musical career began at the age of nine with a rented instrument and group lessons at Reifsnyder’s Music Shop in Ottumwa, Iowa. This shop had been in existence for quite some time and was the incubator for many local musicians. My interest continued and led me to private lessons. This included studying with Ottumwa’s very own, Tony Blew. With Tony I learned the blues and rock and roll.
It was while living in Fort Smith, Arkansas, that I began taking lessons with guitarist extraordinaire Gary Hutchison at a place called Ben Jack’s. Gary taught me to play the entire instrument and pushed me to learn my guitar forwards and backwards. Gary plays many styles and was himself studying classical guitar with a gentleman, the late Paul Mendy. It was the introduction to Paul that changed my musical direction. Paul Mendy introduced me to the rich tradition of the classical guitar – its music, composers, styles, and techniques.
Through Paul Mendy, I met Charles Wolzien, Head of Guitar Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Here I completed my undergraduate studies in Guitar Performance and was the recipient of the Ted and Nancy Anderson Music Award, one of the most prestigious awards offered by the College of Music. There were many opportunities to study with visiting faculty from around the world: James Reid, University of Idaho; Michael Cedric Smith, CUNY; Greg Pikler, Sydney Conservatorium.
I then completed my graduate guitar course work at the University of Denver under the direction of Ricardo Iznaola, Chair of the Strings Department and renowned pedagogue. Again, there were many opportunities to study with performers from around the world: Jonathan Leathwood, University of Denver; Roland Dyens, Conservatoire de Paris; Benjamin Verdery, Yale University.
I had worked as a contract musician for the classical music station of Denver, KVOD, and was a featured performer on the University of Colorado Artist Series. My performances have been aired over the Colorado Public Radio and Television Networks.
Currently, I travel through Southeastern Iowa for work as a private guitar teacher, as well as a music professor at a community college. I also offer private lessons in Oskaloosa, North Liberty, Ottumwa, and Muscatine/Quad Cities, Iowa.
I am preparing my second album, entitled Fire, that will be released very soon.
Photo Gallery
Contact
for booking, private classes, private events, shows, concerts, collaborations, etc:
Please contact me through my Facebook Page or write directly at [email protected] with your questions and I will get back to you right away.