I’m a man with a van and a plan to make music with every person I meet. 

While my initial love of music was fostered by my drummer dad and dancing mama, I have developed my role as musical guide through working with Jeff Porter, Sunny Eselekhomen, Leah Ivory, Judy Balay Schallhorn, Delight Lester, and… well, I have spent the last 25 years training with some of the best guides in learning how to engage in connection, communication, and expression: the teachers, students, families, and counselors at schools, libraries, museums, music festivals and residential programs. 

As a reflection of my personal aspirations, I partner with inclusive community organizations to create musical moments and to develop lifelong musicians. To further those goals, I have recently joined the board of the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild as the President-Elect and am looking forward to learning more about the work of creating global community through rhythm.

Over the past twenty years, I have used my love of world music to teach and perform Afro-Cuban and Latin percussion with adult classes and public school students. As the percussionist for Latin-Rock band Cabildo, I place traditional Cuban, Brazilian, and Andean rhythms in a contemporary setting for live shows in Grand Rapids.

I have worked long term with local partners to create classes and programs that bring music and rhythm to students of all ages. I also lead a monthly community drum circle at Sacred Springs Micro Taproom in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attend Grand Rapids Drum Circle events.