Looking Back, I’m still surprised that I survived the move. Living in seattle for two years all I could think and talk about was coming to New York as if it was my destiny. Moving would require giving up everything I had worked for up to that point. I literally left my old life behind and started fresh. For many months I worked day and night saving money and preparing for the world that lie ahead. I gave up almost all my possessions and left all of my friends and family behind.
I packed up a few boxes of stuff, mostly some clothes and some items I would want when I arrived. I sent them off a few days a head of time so it would be at my new home by the time I got there. The flight to New York was stressful and emotional. I had visited the east coast many times but this was different. Things had to work out becuase I was staying, I had no way to get back if things didn’t work out. Thinking back I now realize how much it was just a big disaster waiting to happen.
Moving across the country is not easy. I secured a shared rental in Upper Manhattan sight unseen and having never met my roommates. I am very lucky that everything turned out alright. I explored the city day and night as if it was a full time job. I rode the subyways all over the place, photographed neighborhoods, explored city parks. After a short while I started a job at a small boutique real estate firm. I earned a real estate license, learned the business, and made a few good friends along the way.
Basic Info
DOB: May 6, 1985
Town of birth: Tacoma,WA Hometown: Port Orchard, WA
Current City: Brooklyn, NY
Education
Secondary: South Kitsap 2003-4
Major: Instrumental Jazz Performance, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, 3D Modeling
Post Secondary: North Seattle Community College 2004-6
Major: English, Creative Writing
The City College of New York
Major: English
Music Career -
Private Instruction: Alto Saxophone, est. 1995-2002, 2004-06, Clarinet 2012-present
Jazz Orchestra: Baritone Saxophone: 1998-2000
Jazz Orchestra: 2nd Alto Sax: 2000-01
Jazz Orchestra: Lead Alto/Section Leader: 2001-04
Soloist w/ vocal jazz choir: 2002-03
Jazz Quartet Soloist: 2002-03, 2004-06
Awards: Outstanding Soloist: WMEA Solo & Ensemble Competition (2001)
Outstanding Soloist: Mount Hood Jazz Festival (2002)
Columbia Basin College Jazz Festival (2003)
Bellevue Community College Jazz Festival (2004)
Appearances: Lional Hampton Jazz Festival (Moscow, ID) 2001-03
Santa Cruz Jazz Festival (Santa Cruz, CA) w/ performances at (Sunnyvale, CA)(Monterey, CA) 2002
Arcadia Jazz Festival (Yorba Linda, CA) 2003
Discography: “Highlighters 2003″
Arrangements: “Band Stand Boogie 2004, FLutterwonder 2012
