Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate to learn from outstanding music educators who inspired me not only to become a better musician, but ultimately to become a teacher myself.

I earned my Bachelor of Music Education degree from Heidelberg University in 2009 and have spent more than 20 years teaching percussion students and helping young musicians develop their skills and confidence. Today, I serve as a percussion instructor at Edison High School and as an online Music Educator with Ohio Virtual Academy, where I have taught Music Appreciation for more than 15 years.

Throughout my career, I have worked with students of all ability levels. One thing I have learned is that many students struggle not because they lack talent, but because they need additional guidance, encouragement, and percussion-specific instruction. Band directors do an incredible job teaching entire ensembles, but with so many students and instruments to support, it can be difficult to provide individualized percussion instruction every day.

That realization helped inspire The Percussion Mission.

My goal is simple: help students build confidence through clear, step-by-step percussion instruction. When students understand what they are doing and experience success early, they are often more motivated to continue learning and growing as musicians.

My own percussion journey expanded while studying under William Bleyle at Heidelberg University, where I was first introduced to marimba performance and four-mallet technique. That passion continued to grow over the years, leading to the purchase of my first marimba in 2017 and ongoing work helping students develop their own keyboard percussion skills.

At Edison High School, I have focused much of my work on percussion instruction, drumline development, and Solo & Ensemble preparation. Since the school's first marimba purchase in 2017, I have helped numerous students develop four-mallet skills and prepare solos and ensembles for adjudicated performances, earning consistent Superior and Excellent ratings.

Today, through The Percussion Mission, I combine more than two decades of percussion teaching experience with a structured approach designed specifically for beginners. Whether a student is preparing for band, strengthening fundamentals, catching up on skills, or exploring percussion for the first time, my goal is to help them develop confidence, build a strong foundation, and enjoy making music.