I have been the Middle School Band Director at Coarsegold and Rivergold Elementary Schools since 2023, bringing with me a deep passion for music education and a commitment to fostering musical growth. I graduated from Sonoma State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Music, which provided me with a strong academic foundation that I combine with practical experience in both music performance and teaching.
Before pursuing a career in music education, I served in the United States Air Force from 2008 to 2012 as an In-Flight Refueling Specialist on the KC-135 Stratotanker. This experience taught me discipline, teamwork, and leadership—qualities that I now bring into my teaching approach. After earning my degree from Sonoma State, I briefly pursued a film scoring career, contributing as an additional composer to over a dozen feature films.
In 2019, my wife and I moved to the mountain community of Coarsegold, where I began working with Megan Rice, the Music Director at Yosemite High School. I started as a consultant for the YHS Marching Band, but my role quickly expanded to support all of the YHS music ensembles, including co-teaching the Bass Lake Middle School Bands in 2022. In addition to my work at Coarsegold and Rivergold, I also have the privilege of co-teaching the YHS Jazz Band and Marching Band alongside Megan Rice.
Within the Yosemite Unified district, I am dedicated to building a strong foundation for young musicians. My focus is on helping students develop the essential musical skills they need to succeed in high school music programs. I am excited to continue expanding the band programs at both Coarsegold and Rivergold, providing students with opportunities to explore their musical potential and develop teamwork and discipline through performance and collaboration.
