My Background
I started music lessons at the age of 6, started drums at the age of 12, and began playing professionally at age 13. I studied privately through junior high and high school and was a Music Major at San Jose State University.
At James Lick High School I was percussion section leader and in my Senior year won the John Phillip Souza Award, Outstanding Band Member Award, Bank of America Fine Arts Award, and Security Savings and Loan Fine Arts Award. I was an active member in my high school band and held an office in the Campus Music Club. I tried out for and won spots in the East Side District Honor Band (section leader) and Santa Clara County District Honor Jazz Band. On the weekends I was playing in my own Top 40 and rock bands.
I studied percussion with Verne Beacock and Anthony Cirone. At San Jose State I was the only freshman in the percussion section in the San Jose State University Wind Ensemble under Dr. Vernon Read. I was also in Anthony Cirone's traveling percussion ensemble.
I began teaching in my Senior year in high school, and I had my own studio at the age of 19. I have since taught at several music stores and schools, among them: Milpitas Music, Reik Music, World of Music, Langone's Music, Milpitas Unified School District, Milpitas High School, St. Francis School, Arroyo High School, and Santa Clara Unified School District. I was also active in the Drum and Bell Corps circuit, having taught the South Bay Medieval Barons (my own corps), Los Campaneros, Drum Sparks, and the Blue Angels and won California State Championships with all of them. Many of my individual corps students competed in California State Solo and Ensemble Competition and won numerous state titles in rudimental snare, multi-tenor, mallet, and percussion ensemble. Many of my corps students went on to march with some of the major drum and bugle corps, such as the Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Devils, Freelancers, Bayonne Bridgemen, Troopers, Valley Fever, 27th Lancers, and Casper Troopers.
While my training has been mainly classical, my outside performances have been with rock, pop, jazz, and soul bands. I have played in bands such as the: Tom Landry Band, Mechanix, Trouble Boys, The Wolves, Fine Sounds Big Band, Frank Prins, Charlie Thompson, Bobby C and Huh? Those range from rock to big band jazz (and some country).
Many of my current and former students are actively playing the clubs, making recordings and touring.
I currently play every Saturday night at Nicolino's Garden Cafe in Santa Clara. Come on out. It is a fine restaurant and only one of two in the area that have dinner shows. Reservations are recommended.
