My Story
My percussion career started in Westminster, Colorado, where I worked as a percussion technician for local marching bands. In 1995 I took over the percussion program at Pomona High School. While I was there, our band won 11 state marching band championships, and our percussion ensemble medaled twice at the WGI World Championships and made finals nearly every year.
In 2006 I moved to Texas. After a short time in Houston, I settled in San Antonio in 2009 and started teaching at Ronald Reagan High School, where I’ve been the marching band’s percussion arranger since 2010. On the drum corps side, I was percussion caption head for the Blue Coats from 2005 to 2008. I’ve also taught on the Blue Knights percussion staff for both their winter and summer ensembles, and I was the percussion arranger for the Crossmen.
I was lucky to study under Ralph Hardimon, a legend in the marching arts. He had a huge influence on how I arrange and teach. I also studied at the University of Colorado, where I assisted with the Golden Buffalo Marching Band and studied with Doug Walter, Mark Foster, and Gray Barrier.
I’ve written percussion music for a lot of ensembles and worked as a music designer for the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble, the Crossmen, and high schools all over the country. My arrangements have been performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the UIL Texas State Marching Contest, and Bands of America Regional, Super Regional, and Grand National Championships.
I also judge for WGI at every level, which is a great way to give back to the percussion community. I’m proud to endorse D’Addario, including Evans drumheads and Planet Waves cables, and to be a Vic Firth, Zildjian, and Yamaha artist.
I live in San Antonio, Texas, with my amazing wife, Marissa, and our children.