I started playing violin when I was 10 -- 4th grade in a public school district in western NY. I had a fantastic teacher named Vicki Mehr. She was demanding, and thus taught the importance of work ethic. Later I studied with Joan Smutko, who had to work with me when I was practicing a lot (fun for her probably) AND when I was barely practicing at all. I joined the Niagara Youth Orchestra in St. Catherines, Canada, when I was in 10th grade. It was really the best possible experience for me throughout high school, surrounded by other kids that worked hard and chased their passions. It was a refuge, and we made pretty good music.

I continued to play classical music throughout college at James Madison University, performing for a short time with the James Madison String Quartet. From 1994 to 2000 I didn't play very much. I was in and out of two graduate school programs, and music didn't seem to be part of my life. I missed it and started practicing again when I moved to Homestead, FL and took a new job.

My first collaboration there was with Murray MacLeod, a Scotsman who was a brilliant performer and guitarist. We performed traditional and contemporary fiddle tunes and songs with Celtic roots. In this style I am most influenced by Natalie McMaster and Alistair Frasier. I also enjoy Eileen Ivers. Within a month of Murray's return to Scotland I met my current performing partner, Nick Annis.

Nick is a singer-songwriter. He is also a teacher, and maybe a prophet. He is an amazing performer. You can read much more about him on his website: www.nickannis.com. In this genre we are heavily influenced by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer and Danny Schmidt. As an accompanist, I really enjoy listening to the work of the side-men in Union Station accompanying Alison Krauss.

I currently use an L.R. Baggs bridge pickup and Para-Acoustic Pre-Amp. I also use PegHeds - a geared tuning peg that makes on-the-fly one-handed tuning a breeze and never hits a range limit like fine-tuners do. These geared pegs turn easily and smoothly, without sticking, and look just like the pegs they replaced. (see above) I am currently using Pirastro Violino strings.

I play an A-style Mid-Missouri mandolin.

Recordings:

I don't have a solo CD yet. (And given my preoccupation with grad school right now it's not at the top of the to-do list.) Here's a recording of Ashokan Farewell (Jay Unger) from a recent show with Nick at the WFMT Folkstage.