Bio

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Music has been a constant through my entire life. My parents both sing and play guitar. My dad started and still runs a local music store (Firey Brothers Music), the oldest in Tulsa. I would hear them and my extended family sing and play at get-togethers and reunions- old folk, country, and gospel standards like ‘Wayfaring Stranger’, ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken’, and ‘Harper Valley PTA’. I’ve been told I’d stand on pews as a toddler and contribute dynamically insensitive harmony vocals to the songs sang in our little country church. I knew nothing else besides the naturalness of music and I consider that one of my greatest blessings.

I started performing on piano from an early age and additionally picked up the guitar when piano wasn’t cool enough. By middle school and into high school my appetite for listening had grown insatiable (I remember clocking 5-7 hours a day with my trusty Walkman, wearing out my favorite homemade cassette mixtapes and CDs).

I attended Oklahoma State University, where I studied classical piano, as well as rudimental and orchestral percussion. While there I was a part of an award-winning jazz ensemble, music direction for Stillwater’s First Christian Church, various musicals, working jazz combos, and bluegrass band, among other roles.

As a guitarist, I’ve been lucky to share the stage with Andy Martin, Wayne Bergeron, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., Bobby Shew, and Slide Hampton, as well as Grammy nominated guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel. My transcription project of Chris Thile’s Bluegrass String Quintet, “The Blind Leaving The Blind”, received accolades from Thile himself (one of my top musical heroes!).

As a music educator I’ve held studios at Stillwater OK’s Daddy O’s Music, Tulsa’s Firey Bros. Music, Broken Arrow’s Albany School of Music, Sand Springs’ Firey Music and Lessons, and Bixby’s BWC Drumworks.

Currently, I teach private and class guitar, jazz, guitar ensemble, and class piano at Tulsa Community College. I also assist Riverfield Rocks, the country’s largest independent rock band program, out of Riverfield Country Day School. I play drums for the T-Town Jazz Big Band.

My passion for education (for both myself and others) has currently taken center stage. My aim is to promote wholistic, sustainable methods to practice and perform music, free of judgment and ego.

In my free time I’m making music related educational YouTube videos, developing my craft, and recording every chance I get. My wife Kasie and I have a beautiful toddler named Noah who already loves to play drums, piano, guitar, and is teaching me a lot! The family band tour is soon to be announced.

Playables and Teachables—

Jazz

Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced General Study, Barry Harris Method, Hal Galper Method, Effortless Mastery

Improvisation

All Styles

Guitar
Acoustic/Electric, Bass, All styles, Ensemble

Specialties: Bluegrass, Acoustic, Fingerstyle, Jazz, Classical, Solo, Singer-Songwriter

Piano
All Styles, Chords, Improvisation, Comping, Sheet Music, Accompaniment

Specialities: Jazz Piano, Classical, Pop

Music Theory

Classical/Popular Music, Ear Training, Notation, Transcription, Soloing, Composition, Nashville Number System, Jazz

Odds and Ends
Mandolin, Ukulele, Beginning and Intermediate Drums and Percussion, Worship Band Clinician, Drumline Clinician, Basic DAW Usage, Home Recording