A passion for cello, interrupted by addiction.

I first discovered the cello in the fourth grade when a string quartet visited my elementary school in Salt Lake City. I was immediately drawn to the cellist. Everything about the instrument—the rich, resonant sound, its size, and even the fact that it was played while seated—captured my imagination. As soon as I learned that I could borrow a school cello at no cost, I signed up.

Private lessons weren't an option for my family, so I taught myself as best I could using library books, recordings, and every bit of guidance my orchestra teachers were willing to share. That foundation carried me farther than I ever imagined.

Throughout junior high and high school I served as principal cellist in my school orchestras and was accepted into the Granite Youth Symphony program, eventually becoming principal cellist there as well. Those experiences led to a full-tuition music scholarship to Utah State University, where I studied cello, served as principal cellist of the university orchestra from 1993–1997, and won the university's string solo competition during my senior year.

After graduation I began my professional life in two very different worlds. By day I worked as a software engineer, eventually building a career that took me to Arizona during the rapid growth of the internet and .com industry. Outside of work, I performed wherever music took me—with orchestras, string quartets, ballet and theater productions, weddings, church services, and just about anyone who needed a cellist.

Since I had a lucrative day job, I wasn't booked out like the full time pros, even though I approached that level of playing. Often times, I would be called upon as a last-minute emergency professional cellist to fill in for cancellations. However, one of the greatest privileges of those years was serving as principal cellist of the Chandler Symphony, an incredibly talented community orchestra.

Despite those successes, addiction gradually took hold of my life. Eventually I made the difficult decision to step away from both music and my career. What followed were nearly eight years marked by a cross-country journey through addiction, homelessness, institutions, shelters, and a long struggle to find my way back.

Today, I'm home again.

I was born and raised in the Salt Lake Valley, and after many years away, I've returned to the community that first introduced me to the cello. As I've found sobriety and greater stability, I've also found my way back to the instrument that has been part of my life since childhood. Thankfully my cellos were kindly preserved by my family, easing my transition back into playing.

I'm rebuilding my technique one practice session at a time, but more importantly, I'm rediscovering why I fell in love with music in the first place.

My hope is that this page grows into more than a biography. I look forward to sharing performances, practice updates, thoughts on music, and eventually offering free community cello lessons and other opportunities to make music together. Whether you're a lifelong musician, someone returning to an instrument after many years away, simply curious to listen, or struggling with addiction or in recovery yourself, I'm glad you're here.