About Me

I arrived in Japan in August of 2006.  Currently I am teaching English with the JET Programme in Niigata Prefecture while learning about japanese performance arts, culture, and language.  I was inspired to finally make the move to Japan after seeing a butoh performance by Akira Kasai and seeing a vision of a bass on stage with him.

Prior to coming to Japan, I studied classical double bass performance at the University of Michigan with Diana Gannett.  While a student there, I was a member of the University Symphony Orchestra and performed on the Grammy award-winning recording “Songs of Innocence and Experience” by composer William Bolcom.  After becoming interested in butoh, I studied the dance privately with Wakabayashi Jun, former principal dancer of Dairakudakan, during his year-long tenure at UofM.

Since beginning bass at the age of 9, I have spent most of my practice hours improvising on my bass, and gradually this has become my preferred medium.  I currently play classical, jazz, and free improvisation on double bass with musicians and dancers, and japanese taiko drum with a local drumming troupe.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my blog.