In the Beginning

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It's one of those things I can't picture being without; it's just always been there. I come from a family of many talented musicians, so I was exposed to music all the time when I was growing up. Everyone around me was making music: my parents, my brother, my aunts, uncles, cousins… If there's a specific strand of DNA responsible for one's infatuation with music, my family has it, I assure you.



Me and my brother, age 3


My mother began teaching me piano at the age of four, and I began to adapt to more instruments as time progressed. Learning piano helped to train my ear for harmony, melody, and rhythm, so it was very easy for me to adapt to new instruments later on. My father (also a bass player) introduced me to the bass when I was seven, and I fell in love the first time I played it. I have since then dedicated my life to the instrument and the pursuit of making music my livelihood.

Education

Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to study privately and attend masterclasses with a number of incredible bass players, including Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Chuck Rainey, Adam Nitti, Anthony Wellington, Gerald Veasley, Oteil Burbridge, Mike Pope, Stanley Clarke, Bunny Brunel, Will Lee, Esperanza Spalding, Bob Babbit, Edgar Meyer, and Dave LaRue.


Victor Wooten and myself, age 17

In 2004 I began studying the double bass at Moorpark College, where I remained until 2006 when I transferred to California State University of Northridge where I studied under Oscar Meza (Assistant Principal Bass Player of the Los Angeles Philharmonic). I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music from CSUN in 2008.

I currently teach music at my family-owned music school, The Lewis Music Academy, in Moorpark, CA.