MY
MUSICAL CREDENTIALS:
| I’ve
been performing and playing guitar for over 30
years. Like many musicians my age I remember watching
the Beatles on a small black & white TV in
my parents bedroom and the impact it had on my
desire to play an instrument. A friend let me
borrow his Sears guitar and I was instantly hooked
on playing music. Although I took up trombone
in 5th grade and picked it up quickly, it was
a winning performance in a 6th grade talent contest
that launched my lifetime love of the guitar. |
 |
Initially
self-taught by listening and playing along with popular
groups of the time (Led Zeppelin, Cream, Crosby, Stills,
and Nash, BB King, Clapton, James Taylor, Paul Simon,
Doobie Brothers), my formal guitar education began
at Nova Music Studios in Pasadena, California. There
I studied under Dave
Koonse (L.A. Studio Musician), and Gunnar
Eisel (Professor at Cal State) using the Berkley
School of Music - Guitar Method. I have since used
that course with my own students, and include music
theory, ear training, and music appreciation as part
of my own curriculum. My
Music Resume 
My
education background includes degree in Music (Classical
Guitar, Jazz, and Voice) & Music Education from
California State University – Los Angeles where
I was President of the CSULA Music Council and graduated
with two years on the Dean’s List. The curriculum
included advanced music theory, choral and orchestral
conducting, jazz and ensemble arranging, music composition,
jazz improvasation, as well as a series of instrument
classes in the four orchestral groups (Brass, Winds,
Strings, Percussion). I loved these classes and to
this day can make decent music on almost any instrument.
While
attending college in Pasadena and Los Angeles, I had
access to what I think were some of the top Hollywood
studio working musicians/educators in the music industry.
My classes included music theory from Greg Killian,
improvisation classes from jazz greats Gary
Foster, Claire
Fisher, and Bobby
Bradford. I played in several pick-up groups in
and out of school and was the “house”
accompanist for several rock/pop and jazz performance
classes. In evaluating my senior recital on classical
guitar, my professors gave me high marks on musical
interpretation and execution.
I’ve attended master performance clinics with
The Art Ensemble of Chicago, John Abercrombe, Branford
Marsalis, and Michael Brecker. I’ve performed
as a solo tenor for an honors choir performance for
the Catholic Cardinal of Los Angeles, was hand selected
by Roger Wagner to perform in a Master Choral performance
in Los Angeles, and had the honor of being the music
arranger and guitarist for the stage band - "The
Starlighters" - at a large music event produced
by Lou Wasserman and attended by Henry Mancini at
the Celebrity Theater in Hollywood.
After
almost 20 years in sales, marketing, sales training
at BASF, Knoll Pharmaceutical, Glaxo Wellcome, Duke
University and a few failed dot-coms, we decided to
form Backwoods Music. Thanks to the support our terrific
friends, the surronding community, and very strong
positive word of mouth, Backwoods has grown to more
than we could have dreamed. Backwoods Music Studio
was been formed with the firm intent of contributing
more to the cultural growth of our surrounding arts
community.
