Born in: Redwood City, CA
Current residence: San Mateo, CA
Guitars: 2001 Ibanez Steve Vai Jem (White),
1980's American Fender Strat, Jackson JR-20
Rhoads Pro, Ovation Acoustic, Prelude TX-18
Acoustic (My first guitar).
Amps: Crate 120w 2X12 Combo, Marshal JMC2000
Dual Super Lead head with 1960 Lead 4X12 cab.
Effects: Too many Boss pedals to name, Line 6
Pod Live XT multi-effects processor, Limited
Edition Jimi Hendrix Crybaby Wah
around on the instrument for about a year because I didn't have a clue as to what the hell I should have been
practicing. After a year, my parents got me some lessons at a local music store with a man named Rich Healy. Rich
started a small bonfire of curiosity inside of me by teaching me the basics of scales, chords, techniques, reading music
and many other important things. Those 2 years I took lessons with Rich had a profound influence on the musician I am
today. I joined the school jazz band when I was a senior in high school and my teacher Mike Galisatus taught me to
broaden my musical horizons, which, up to that point, didn't stray far from rock. He also got me started in working on
skills that make a good musician rather than just a good guitarist, like ear training and improvising. Dr. Kieth Johnson is
another teacher who has been a real inspiration to me; he's shown me that someone with such an understanding of the
components of music can still see the beauty in all forms of the art. In recent years I've become very interested in 20th
century classical music and orchestration and hope to write for an orchestra one day.
Malmsteen, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Mike Stern, Terry Bozzio, Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy, George
Lynch, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Jason Becker, Clifford Brown, Mike Brecker, Frank Zappa, Buckethead, Stevie Ray
Vaughan, Eric Clapton, J.S. Bach, Jeff Beck, Marty Friedman, Bunny Brunel, Herbie Hancock, Greg Howe, Richie
Kotzen, Zakk Wylde, Pat Metheny, Chris Impellitteri, Jaco Pastorius, Geddy Lee, Virgil Donati, Chad Wakerman, Victor
Wooten, Rusty Cooley, Ron Jarzombek, Frederik Thordendal, Peter Lake, I could go on and on......