Ten Years on Stage.
Five Years Teaching.
I'm a working guitarist in Atlanta and a private teacher in Suwanee. Here's how I got here and how I teach.
I started playing at thirteen, the night I saw Buckethead at the Masquerade in Atlanta.
That show is what got me serious about guitar. I spent the years after it learning as much as I could.
Since then I've studied shred technique, funk, jazz fusion, progressive rock, and metal. I play across styles because each one teaches something the others don't.
Today I'm based in the Atlanta area. I lead the Progressive Jamtronica band Free Hat, formed in 2016, and we've played venues across the Southeast ever since. I'm the lead guitarist for the Phish tribute band Cadillac Rainbows, and I sit in regularly with the Atlanta jam collective BadAsh Allstar Team. Three albums on Spotify, dozens of live videos on YouTube, and a schedule that keeps me on stage most weekends.
And, for the last five-plus years, I've been teaching guitar, bass, and ukulele in Suwanee.
Timeline
The milestones that got me from my first Buckethead show to teaching in Suwanee.
Started Playing at 13
Saw Buckethead live at the Masquerade, age 13. That show is what made me want to play guitar.
OriginPlaying Atlanta Venues
Played the Atlanta circuit: house shows, dive bars, festival side stages. Met the players who'd become bandmates and mentors.
ApprenticeshipFree Hat Formed
Co-founded Free Hat, a Progressive Jamtronica project in Atlanta. The band's been "exploring musical frontiers" ever since. Three studio/live releases, dozens of headlining and supporting shows.
My Main ProjectFirst Live Album
Released Get Wet: Live at Smith's Olde Bar. First full document of what the band sounds like at peak, a shredder, a funk record, and a jam-band record all at once.
First AlbumStarted Teaching
Began teaching guitar, bass, and ukulele privately. First students were friends and friends-of-friends. Word got around.
TeachingFree Hat EP
Released the self-titled studio EP. Tighter, more produced, bigger reach. Free Hat made it onto Spotify, Apple Music, and every other streaming service that mattered.
Studio ReleaseCadillac Rainbows + BadAsh
Picked up the lead guitar chair for the Phish tribute Cadillac Rainbows. Became a regular sit-in with Atlanta jam collective BadAsh Allstar Team. Different rooms, different vibes, same player.
Side ProjectsLive at Pontoon Brewing
Released Free Hat Live at Pontoon Brewing 4.19.25, a full set captured in front of one of our favorite hometown crowds. Now streaming everywhere.
Latest ReleaseTeaching in Suwanee
Splitting my week between gigs and lessons. Always taking new students, beginners, comeback adults, advancing teens, anyone willing to show up.
NowHow I Teach.
Everyone Starts Somewhere
No two students start the same place. The first lesson is mostly listening, what do you want to play, what have you tried, what got you stuck. From there, the plan is yours.
Songs You Actually Like
The fastest way to make someone love an instrument is to put music they care about in their hands. Curriculum gets built around the songs and styles that matter to you, not the other way around.
Technique That Lasts
Songs keep you motivated. Solid fundamentals are what hold your playing together. I don't shortcut technique, because bad habits are harder to undo than to never form. We work on the basics in small doses, on purpose.
// Influences
Guitarists Who Influenced Me
These are the players I've learned the most from. If you want a study list of your own, start here:
// Gear & Setup
My Gear
Here's what I play, and what I'd point students toward. Happy to talk through pedals and setups in more detail if you're interested:
For students: don't buy gear before our first lesson, we'll talk through what makes sense for what you want to play. There's a workable beginner setup at every budget.
Want to Start Lessons?
The first lesson is free. We'll talk about what you want to play, where you're starting from, and where you want to go.