He started his piano studies at he age of 7 at the Music School in Jurmala near Riga. From 1978, he continued his studies in music theory at the Emils Darzine Special Music School in Riga. From 1982 - 1989, he studied composition with Prof. Adolfs Skulte at the Latvian Music Academy. In 1996 he attained his MA in composition. Whilst studying, he also worked at the Music College in Jurmala teaching music theory and composition.