When I was 13, my Great-Uncle gave me my first guitar which he had stored away in his basement. It was a beginner guitar, set in classical style with nylon strings. It didn't matter to me that it was a classical guitar. Most kids my age wanted electric guitars, but I was willing to take what I could get so I could start learning to play. Little did I realize I would completely dedicate the next 10 years of my life learning different styles and even perform in front of audiences.
I began learning how to play through books on music theory, how-to-play books teaching chords and melodies. I would practice 12 hours a day in the beginning, and end up covered in blisters by the time the sun set. But it never stopped me from playing the next day. After a few months of learning the basics, I learned my very first song, Nirvana's cover of "The Man Who Sold the World." From there I continued to learn more songs fairly quickly.
I moved to Florida from New Jersey, where I enrolled in high school. I immediately joined the Guitar Club, where I interacted with other guitarists my age. The director of the Club set me up with a guitar teacher, Mark Cantelmi, who would influence my playing greatly and help me achieve my goal: performing. Mark taught me how to become a better guitarist, teaching me jazz renditions of some of my favorite songs. After only 6 months of guitar lessons, Mark arranged my first guitar performance, at the Indian River Cafe. It would be the first of many performances.
After more years of practice and performances, I landed my first job as a guitar instructor at Mark's studio. It was an incredible joy for me to experience beginner students learning from my instruction.
During the same year, I struck an interest in classical guitar. Mark taught me to play an anonymous piece from the 14th Century, called "Romanza". I learned and memorized it in a few hours and played it for Mark my following session. I still remember him being ecstatic hearing me play it for the first time. It will always be one of my favorite memory of him.
Sadly, Mark passed away that same year from cancer and I was forced to find another teacher. It was a difficult adjustment adapting to a new instructor. I found a teacher, named Lisa Eggers, who continued to teach me classical guitar and arranged my first duet with her at her studio, playing classical guitar. She taught me all she could before I advanced, and I began teaching her to play.
I soon found a classical guitar organization, called The East Coast Classical Guitar Society. There, I met different classical guitarists of all ages. During meetings we would perform songs we had learned and schedule classical guitar concerts. It was through my participation in the Society that I began going to Masterclasses held by professional classical guitarists. I had the honor of learning from the very best, and attended classes with Christopher Laughlin, Lorenzo Michelli, and Franco Platino.
During the past few years, I've held private performances for small audiences (mainly relatives and friends).
My favorite guitars I own are an Alvarez Classical Guitar and a black 50th Anniversary Fender Telecaster.
Feel free to browse my guitar performance pictures. I have also included a picture of me with the Love of My Life, Brian, who has always supported my talents. I have also included pictures of my pets and art portfolio. Enjoy!
