Bio

Hello and welcome to my Bio page! Here are a few interesting facts about myself and below you’ll find a list of credentials in resume format.

I was born and raised in a small town, Gill, Massachusetts, no musical family or community, but I knew at an early age that I loved the sound of drums on the radio. It was the early 80’s and loud, rich drum sounds filled the radio waves. I knew I wanted to play like that.

I began like most drummers do, playing on pots and pans, Tupperware sounded particularly good to me, until my parents gave me a great opportunity. Upon asking for a new drum set, they presented me with a small rubber practice pad. I was invited to play on that pad for an entire year. At the end of the year, if I could make it, I would be awarded a real drum set. And I’m sure they were praying to god that I wouldn’t last that long… but I did.


TEACHING:
King Philip High School, Wrentham, MA
Front Ensemble Percussion Instructor, Winter 2004 to present
• Teaching Front Ensemble: 2 and 4 mallet technique, balance, performance…etc.
• Team work and communication with percussion staff
• Long term student growth and program development
Thom Hannum Mobile Percussion Program, Amherst, MA
Teaching Staff, Summer 1999
• Teaching beginner to advanced students on front ensemble instruments
• Timpani technique, four mallet technique for vibes and marimba, music theory
• Applications of the front ensemble
• Arranging music for front ensemble
Wakefield High School, Wakefield, MA
Front Ensemble Percussion Instructor, Fall 2004
• Teaching Front Ensemble: grip, balance, performance…etc.
• Team work and communication with percussion staff
• Adapting arranged music to players skill level and experience
Agawam High School, Agawam, MA
Percussion teacher- marching band & indoor competitiongroup, Fall 1998-Spring 2000
• Contemporary music arranger for pit and battery
• Teaching pit and battery: grip, balance, performance, marching
• Group received gold metal in state competition Spring 1999 & Spring 2000
Turner’s Falls High School, Montague, MA
Percussion Teacher, Fall 1995-Fall 1996
• Contemporary music arranger for pit and battery
• Teaching pit and battery: grip, balance, performance, marching
University of Massachusetts – Amherst, Amherst, MA
Section leader of UMMB front ensemble, Fall 1999
• Contemporary music arranger for front ensemble
• Teaching pit: grip, balance, performance
Private Lessons – Percussion / Drum set
Drum set and classical studies for students of all ages, 1998-present
• Greenfield Music & Arts Center teaching staff member

PERFORMANCE
Performances with the following musicians and groups
• Tempered Sun – Rock band, 1993-1997
• Traveling Matt – Acoustic Rock, 1998-2002
• Under Falling Skies – Metal band, 2002-present
• Satellite – Dave Matthews Band Tribute, 2003-present
• Schwenk – Electrocoustic rock, 2004-present
• The Tiger Method – Island Funk, 2003-2004
• Jen Tobey - Singer Songwriter
• Nanette Perrotte Combo – Jazz standard & originals, 2003-present
• Lauren Peligrino - Singer Songwriter
• kebrada - jazz standards
• Nepo Soteri - Africa Meets World
EDUCATION
University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Amherst, MA
B.A. in Percussion Performance, 2001
• Educational Highlight: Received designation University Honors for academic achievements
• Activity Highlights: University Marching band
Greenfield Community College, Greenfield, MA
Associates degree in Liberal Arts, 1996
• Educational Highlight: Received designation University Honors for academic achievements
• Activity Highlights: Received credit for teaching Turners Falls High School percussion
SKILLS & CERTIFICATIONS
• Proficient in Microsoft Windows Applications, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Finale.
• Proficient on percussion instruments including drum set, mallet instruments, timpani, cymbals and hand percussion.
• Proficient in musical arrangements for percussion ensemble, marimba ensemble, front ensemble and battery percussion in marching or indoor mediums.