I am a guitarist in Seattle where I was born in 1980 and have been playing the guitar since I was 10 years old. My mom taught me to play "Teach Your Children" by Crosby, Stills and Nash. That was my first lesson. I earned my BA in music at Central Washington University in 2004 and began working on Holland America Line's cruise ships soon after graduation. Playing a different show nightly with a broad variety of entertainers, each after a single hour-long rehearsal, helped me to achieve oneness with my instrument and ease with sight reading and interpretting all kinds of music. Travelling around the world gave me tremendous inspiration and in my free time onboard I had ample opportunity to practice and study. In 2007, on a hiatus from cruise ships, I enrolled at Western Washington University to complete my Master's degree in music under the tutelage of Chuck Israels, known by many for his tenure in Bill Evan's trio. He taught me valuable skills in arranging and engraving. I graduated in 2008 with a greater sense of direction and confidence thanks to my mentor. In 2013, after many more cruises as a guitarist and band leader, I returned to Seattle, where I continue to work for Holland America Line and play locally with the formidable Richie Aldente, Funky 2 Death and Birch Pereira and the Gin Joints. I recently contributed guitar with my esteemed friend RL Heyer to the soundtrack of The Founder. I have also recently played in the orchestras of the 5th Ave Theater, the Village Theatre and the Seattle Children's Theater.