I began my study of music on violin at age four. At age 10 I added the French Horn, which was to become my principal instrument. In high school I learned trumpet so that I could participate in the jazz band, and even momentarily flirted with the trombone.
I earned a B.A. in music from Luther College in 1993, where I studied with Ron Fox (horn and brass ensembles), Douglas Diamond (orchestra), and Frederick Nyline (band). While at Luther I served as principal horn in the LCSO for two years and section leader of the LCCB for one. During my college years I also participated in the pit orchestra for the summer Dorian Opera Theater at Luther College, and served as a substitute horn with the LaCrosse, WI, Symphony Orchestra.
From 1993 to 1996 I attended Bowling Green State University where I studied horn performance, music history, and ethnomusicology. Combining my interests in music history and music performance, I studied and performed works by Haydn and Mozart for the natural or hand-horn techniques.
In 1998 I returned to the Upper Midwest, settling in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Currently I perform regularly with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, the Saint Paul Civic Symphony, Neoteric Chamber Winds, the Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company, and Grand Symphonic Winds, for whom I frequently contribute concert program notes.