He began his jazz studies at Rio Americano High School under the direction of Craig Faniani and Josh Murray. Upon graduating, he furthered his musical studies at the Eastman School of Music, studying with composers Bill Dobbins and Dave Rivello, and saxophonists Chien-Kwan Lin, Jose Encarnacion, and Charles Pillow. He currently maintains a full schedule writing for and touring with groups based in Northern California, including the Shawn Thwaites Rebel Quartet, Tenor Explosion, and Triism, the winners of the 10th Bucharest International Jazz Competition in Romania.