I grew up in Western New York in a small town just South of Rochester called Avon. I played trumpet starting in 5th grade but didn’t get serious about it until 10th grade. While in high school I participated in our All-County Bands and during my senior year, I was accepted into the New York State Lion’s Club Band. It was held in Lake Placid NY that year and was one of my favorite memories in high school as a musician. I also started teaching some elementary students on trumpet in my senior year of high school.
I attended the University of Maine, Orono in 1998 and graduated in 2004 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education with a trumpet concentration. While attending UMaine I participated in the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Screamin’ Black Bears Pep Band, Marching Band, and the Orchestra. I also participated with a number of brass choirs and quintets and also started up the Brass Night which still takes place each year.
Upon graduating I moved back to NY and began substitute teaching. While living in NY I married my longtime girlfriend Deb. I also participated in a number of community bands and orchestras as a trumpeter and conductor. I wrote a few custom arrangements for the groups and one of my highlights was performing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto with the local community orchestra. I have also participated in a number of benefit concerts as a soloist over the years.
In 2007 my wife and I realized we missed Maine so I decided to look for a job in Maine and stumbled across a position in Northern Maine at Central Aroostook Jr./Sr. High School in Mars Hill. I had never been north of Old Town but figured they had a golf course, ski mountain, and a Walmart nearby so I was good to go. We have been in Mars Hill ever since and love it here. I teach instrumental music to students in grades 5-12, run the pep band, coach the varsity golf and volleyball team, and I am also the Technology Director and really the only tech guy in the district….in other words I keep busy and love every minute of it!
Since moving to Maine I perform routinely with the Star City Syndicate, UMPI/Community Band, and the Northern Maine Chamber Society Orchestra, along with performing with other small ensembles as the opportunities come up. Due to my schedule I have not been active as a soloist but I am working on building my chops back up again as I miss solo work so if you are in need of a performer/soloist please use the Contact form.
My wife and I enjoy the outdoors, I am an avid golfer routinely competing in state competitions in addition to having coached our high school golf team for the past 10 years. I enjoy photography which I hope to show off on the site over time, taking hikes with our two Siberian huskies, and relaxing at our cottage down on the coast. I am also a techie and maintain a number of sites for different groups and businesses and love anything tech related!!