bio

teaching

I’ve been a music teacher since 1981. I’ve taught guitar, banjo, bass, piano, and ukulele. I’ve taught at music stores and music schools, and for community education programs in St. Paul, Lakeville, South St. Paul, and North St. Paul. I’ve taught people from 7 to 70-something, beginners to professional players, in just about every style.

Currently, I teach piano and guitar through the City of Woodbury’s Parks and Recreation Department.

performing

I’ve been a professional musician since 1975. I’ve performed as a solo singer-songwriter, as a member of a folk trio, as a member of a mime troupe, as the leader of a variety band, and, since 1990, as a solo guitarist at coffeehouses, restaurants, bars, concerts, and private events. In 1997, I began performing jazz on the 7-string guitar. I still love, and play, the 6-string and 12-string versions of the instrument, and use 2 or 3 different guitars at some gigs.
Most performances feature jazz tunes, original compositions, ragtime, and various beyond-category pieces.

From 1996 till 2005 I played in the jazz duo Duotonic with drummer Carole Selin (that was the main reason I took up the 7-string guitar). We've resumed playing as a duo, see the News page for more on that.

education

A few years after I got my B.A in English from Carroll College (Waukesha, WI), I went back to school at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (Milwaukee, WI). I attended full-time for three years as a Jazz Performance major in both piano and guitar. I took courses in music theory and ear training, and performed in many student ensembles.

In 1994, I received an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Hamline University (St. Paul, MN).