Born on Staten Island, raised on Long Island, New York, I started playing saxophone at 9 years of age. During my high school years I decided I wanted to become a music teacher. During my studies at the University of Central Florida I became fascinated with learning and reinforced my chosen career path. After graduating, I began working as a music teacher at John Adams High School in Ozone Park, NY. While building a music program from the ground up I completed my Masters in Educational Leadership from Baruch College and obtained my School Building Leader certification as part of the Scaffolded Apprenticeship Program. When I served as Fine Arts Director and as a Peer Collaborative Teacher I mentored first year art and drama teachers and developed a system of intervisitation and feedback that focused  on improving arts instruction school-wide.

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After being selected as a finalist for the New Music for Young Musicians composition competition, I enrolled in the Jazz Program and CUNY Queens College as a composition track graduate student. During my time at Queens College I began arranging for the Queens College Big Band as well as local high schools, middle schools, and professional groups. I was also a recipient of the ASCAP Louis Armstrong award.

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Currently I teach Symphonic Band, Improvisation, Audio Production and Modern Band at Syosset High School. In the past I've taught 4th and 5th grade band, 7th grade band, 6th grade general music, and I've developed curriculum for audio production and music theory courses in addition to serving as a mentor to first year teachers. 

 

Outside of the classroom I'm a Ph.D. student in Curriculum and Instruction at St. John's University where I also teach as an adjunct faculty instructor. I perform regularly in the greater New York City area on saxophone, clarinet, flute, guitar, and keyboards. I continue to write and arrange music for variety of ensembles;  including elementary, middle and high school bands, pop groups, community bands, and professional big bands.