Through my ten years as a musician, I have had a multitude of experiences performing. This includes everything from open mics to positions in a pit band for musicals. I started playing guitar at age 10, but also have experience performing for my school as a percussionist all through middle school and high school. I was part of our symphonic band as well as our jazz band and pep band.

Not only do I have experience performing music, but I also have a vast range of theatrical performance under my belt having performed in 14 shows over my lifetime. These include a wide range of genres and styles including musicals, comedies, and dramas. Because of this, I have a versatile acting experience as well as a large stage presence.

Due to my almost life-long involvement with theater and live performance, I have a large amount of experience being a stagehand. In high school, I would stage hand, set build, and strike for any show I was unable to perform in. This gave me plenty of experience with setting up markers on stage for actors and for sets, communicating with stage managers and directors, and working with performers to make their cue. This also gave me a significant amount of labor experience using drills, hammers, and other construction equipment needed in stagehanding.

My stagehand experience continued in college with Western Michigan Universities Sound Reinforcement Practicum, where I worked setting up musical acts. This included mic placement, monitor placement, and cable runs. I was also able to gain experience mixing front of house as well as monitor engineering. These events involve artists and speakers that are paid by the school to be there, meaning I gained true experience working with paid performers. Stressing the importance of communication during set-up and sound-check to ensure they are happy with their levels and mix. This practicum has given me plenty of valuable experience in the live sound field for set up and mixing as well as creating a comfortable environment for the artist.

During my time at Western Michigan University I have been given access to a wealth of recording experience. Through my time there I have been able to record many musicians as well as full bands. During my Live to Two Track project at WMU, I recorded a full jazz combo in one night. This experience taught me a lot about session set up and the importance of planning a recording session in the studio. During my time here, I have also become very fluid and comfortable in creating Pro Tools sessions that account for players, instruments, outboard gear, and many other complications necessary for what is being recorded. I have made sessions for just one player, to sessions with live bass, guitar, drums, and vocals. With this I also have an advanced grasp on the inner workings of Pro Tools and have a workflow that makes recording easy to do. Additionally, I have experience using Western’s outboard gear that includes compressors, EQs, and microphone pre-amps. All of this, in addition to my experience as a performer, has made me very comfortable with mic placement, sign lines, and cable runs. 

My editing experience started early, when I was a teenager editing videos for my friends. It began to advance when I started making documentaries to compete in the national research based competition, National History Day. These projects taught me a lot about the fundamentals of editing. These skills were improved when I entered college and had access to upgraded software with programs such as Davinci Resolve and Premier Pro. Using these tools, I have completed projects and student films for school which has allowed me to improve on my skills as an editor as well as learn more advanced editing techniques such as color grading and masking.