I was born and raised in Woodbury NJ. I attended Walnut Street School from Kindergarten through 5^th grade. During these years I was fascinated with art and drawings. I thought I wanted to be an artist after I graduated. That all changed around 4^th grade. I picked up a guitar and tried that for a while. But then I started playing the drums, which felt very natural to me. I really enjoyed playing and apparently had a natural talent. That talent sparked by my passion started me on the journey I am still travelling on. I joined band in school and in 5^th grade I was nominated for and accepted in the All South Jersey Elementary Honors Band. In 8^th grade I was able to join jazz band, which I enjoyed very much because it gave me the opportunity to play the drum set. In high school I participated in concert band, jazz band, wind ensemble, and marching band. In 12^th grade I took guitar class and music theory. While attending school I also took private drum lessons for several years and 1 year of private piano lessons. I joined a collaborative music program called Rock University, which gave me the opportunity to play music with a group of other musicians. Each session lasted 12 weeks and ended with the group performing 2 live concerts at various music venues. Rock University gave me the experience for live performances that I used when performing with my own bands. And, I was able to perform at such venues as World Café Live, The Trocadero, River Winds and Campbell’s Field. When I turned 19 years old and was then too old for the Rock University Program, I became an assistant instructor so I could teach the younger drum students. I continue with that program still today. I have had two personal bands that were fairly successful in the local area playing at many venues in South Jersey. I also perform as part of another band called Aloha Hula Show, which includes hula dancers as part of the performance. I am currently working in the formation stages of several other bands and hope to be performing again very soon. During the formation of these bands I have had the opportunity to write a little music, which is something a bit new to me, but something I enjoy. It is pretty exciting to have an idea and then turn it into something real. I am excited about my time spent in this recording apprenticeship because it is allowing me to further my passion for music in a whole different way.