I studied classical violin during high school and then in college at Oberlin Conservatory and Indiana University. I returned to Chicago after school and have been finding my path with music since then. As a violinist, I perform in a variety of contexts in the Chicago area. Abbey Bowed, a rock string quartet project, is a group devoted to learning, performing, and recording my long-running project of recreating the Beatles album Abbey Road for string quartet. More information can be found in the "Current Projects" page. Additionally, I perform in orchestras, at hospitals, in classical music "outreach" as part of Classical Revolution Chicago, and in various other settings. While I continue to enjoy classical music, I have grown to love improvisation, blues, Indian violin, and bluegrass as well, and am working to develop more proficiency at these other styles. I find working with a variety of styles helps keep the ear open and my body healthy. I am seeking other groups and musicians to collaborate with as I develop a sense of the musical path that I want to pursue.
Teaching
I have been teaching violin and viola (and at times, piano, guitar, ukulele, and cello) for 14 years. I am on the faculty at New Music School and Merry Music Makers and teach privately as well. My students range in age from 4 to 64. I hope to provide guidance, inspiration, support, and vision to the adults and children I work with while allowing them to find and pursue their own personal musical journey as much as possible. True teaching is an art and I've only scratched the surface, but I know it is an incredible way to connect with people and create community and thereby serve the world. You can find more information about my teaching philosophy and work in the "Music Lessons" page. If you would like to set up a trial lesson with me please feel free to contact me through the contact page!
Composition and Arranging
Composing has taken up more and more of my time during the last few years. My gateway into creating my own original compositions was through arranging music for strings. I have enjoyed arranging classical and rock music since I was in music school at Oberlin Conservatory back in 2003. I usually have worked in the string quartet medium as I find it the most compelling and familiar ensemble type for me. A big project in that regard is Abbey Bowed. More recently, however, I have been creating original material in a variety of contexts. Find out more information in the "Compositions" page.
Personal growth and meditation
Meditation has been absolutely central to my inner development over the past 7 years. I was introduced to it during a yoga teacher training program at Solaluna Yoga in Oberlin and since then have relied deeply and profoundly on it to bring me clarity and wisdom when faced with all of life's challenges. My work to find a new life path since being severely injured with tendonitis shortly after finishing grad school consisted greatly in looking inward, uncovering, and healing the sources of my suffering. This work has in many ways contributed to my current outlook on life and my creative and vocational pursuits. I highly recommend meditation of any kind to everyone! See the "Journeying" page for more of my thoughts on these topics.
In what little spare time I have left, I love biking, reading, gaming, and spending time with my beautiful cat Boki.
Teaching
I have been teaching violin and viola (and at times, piano, guitar, ukulele, and cello) for 14 years. I am on the faculty at New Music School and Merry Music Makers and teach privately as well. My students range in age from 4 to 64. I hope to provide guidance, inspiration, support, and vision to the adults and children I work with while allowing them to find and pursue their own personal musical journey as much as possible. True teaching is an art and I've only scratched the surface, but I know it is an incredible way to connect with people and create community and thereby serve the world. You can find more information about my teaching philosophy and work in the "Music Lessons" page. If you would like to set up a trial lesson with me please feel free to contact me through the contact page!
Composition and Arranging
Composing has taken up more and more of my time during the last few years. My gateway into creating my own original compositions was through arranging music for strings. I have enjoyed arranging classical and rock music since I was in music school at Oberlin Conservatory back in 2003. I usually have worked in the string quartet medium as I find it the most compelling and familiar ensemble type for me. A big project in that regard is Abbey Bowed. More recently, however, I have been creating original material in a variety of contexts. Find out more information in the "Compositions" page.
Personal growth and meditation
Meditation has been absolutely central to my inner development over the past 7 years. I was introduced to it during a yoga teacher training program at Solaluna Yoga in Oberlin and since then have relied deeply and profoundly on it to bring me clarity and wisdom when faced with all of life's challenges. My work to find a new life path since being severely injured with tendonitis shortly after finishing grad school consisted greatly in looking inward, uncovering, and healing the sources of my suffering. This work has in many ways contributed to my current outlook on life and my creative and vocational pursuits. I highly recommend meditation of any kind to everyone! See the "Journeying" page for more of my thoughts on these topics.
In what little spare time I have left, I love biking, reading, gaming, and spending time with my beautiful cat Boki.