I began drumming at the age of 14. Two years later, I auditioned for and was accepted to attend the B.O.C.E.S (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) Cultural Arts Center (Syosset, NY) where I majored in music performance. The C.A.C. provided instruction and performance opportunities for students of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and musical theatre. I was introduced to intensely dedicated young musicians and artists from all over Long Island at the school. It changed my life forever.After graduation I went on to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. There, I was surrounded by musicians (students and teachers alike) from around the globe. It was a time of tremendous musical growth. Days were spent in classes studying ear training, arranging, composition and music history, etc. Nights were spent practicing for hours and/or playing or recording with all types of musicians. Here I studied with Latin music specialist Ed Uribe. In addition, I have studied privately with such drumming luminaries as Jim Chapin, Al Miller, Dom Famularo, Kim Plainfield, Phil Cimino, and Bobby Sanabria.While at Berklee I performed in a group with guitarist/vocalist Julian Coryell (Mojo Records recording artist and son of legendary jazz-fusion guitarist Larry Coryell). The band was a regular at New York's famed China Club. I have recorded with top House/Club music producer Johnny Viscious. I have also recorded with producer Tomas Costanza at his ultra busy Killingsworth Recording Company. I have also recorded at Cove City Studios, Sabella Studios, Deep Wave Studios and the Vic Thrill Saloon in Brooklyn, NY, among others.I have performed over two dozen shows which were broadcast live on a major New York radio station, WLIR. A stint with the group Belly Button resulted in a two-year national sponsorship from Bud-Lite. The group was also featured in three regional television commercials in the New York area. One of which was aired regularly on MTV. (Belly Button became one of the top drawing bands in the northeast.)In August of 1998 I received a call from the legendary Bob Z of The Touch. One month later I joined The Touch and have been with the group ever since.In addition to performing and recording, I am also very involved in percussion education. I am a private drum instructor with students ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Besides teaching, I regularly give educational percussion clinics in Long Island schools. Since April 1998, I have performed over one hundred fifty clinics at over eighty different schools ranging from elementary to high school. I have performed for and instructed over three thousand young musicians at these events. The clinics are sponsored by two major percussion companies, Vic Firth and Sabian.I am proud to be endorsed by Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, GMS Drums, Rhythm Tech Percussion and HQ Percussion Practice Pads. For more information on my set up go to www.gmsdrums.com. You'll find me in the "artists" section. plain layout @ HOT FreeLayouts.com MyHotComments
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