I started playing piano when I was 5 years old, and came from a very musical family. In the 5th grade, I chose the trombone, and played in band all the way through Jr. High and High School. I attended the University of Kansas on trombone scholarship, and while there I played and sang in a variety of musical ensembles, including the symphonic band, jazz band, marching band, basketball band, trombone choir, gospel choir, and the jazz singers. I also was a karaoke DJ. I received my degree in Music Composition, and then moved to San Diego. I was the lead singer and trombonist for several years in a rock band that played at various venues in the San Diego area, and recorded a CD with the group. I also played trombone in a jazz funk band. Currently, I am a trombonist and singer in a jazz big band called the Ira B. Liss Big Band Machine, which recently released a CD. I also sing in an a cappella group called Singchronicity, which I’ve been in for about 20 years.
I am married to a wonderful man named Marni, and we have a daughter named Aria who is 19, and our son Noah is 17 and he currently attends San Marcos High School. We also have an adorable mini Australian shepherd named Zoe.
Music has taken me so many wonderful places, and has been such an enriching and fantastic part of my life. It is my goal to impart this love of music to all of the students at Double Peak, and to give them opportunities to listen to, learn about, and participate in music. This is my 3rd year as band director at DPS, and before that I taught elementary music here for 3 years. Before moving to Double Peak, I taught music for 5 years at Twin Oaks, and loved every second of it!