1. The video game “Rock Band” is my savior. As a naive middle schooler
growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, I was unsure of what I dreamed of becoming, but one
fortunate day my parents gifted me a game entitled, “Rock Band.” I grew closer to
the drums, and I gained a burning passion to become a star. My parents soon signed
me up for private drum set lessons, and now seven years later I am attending one of
the most elite music schools in the world.
I was brought up by Tom Konopka, a renown drummer in all different styles
of music. He raised me to be able to play many different genres of music with a
certain level of authenticity, while also preparing me for real world situations. As I
have grown, I have worked in many different environments from straight up Pop,
Contemporary, Electronic, Indie music, to Country, Rock, Latin, Afro-Cuban, Jazz (Big
band, and small band), Funk/Fusion, and even Theatre, Pit Orchestra music.
Throughout the years, with the help of all of my teachers of course, I was able to
receive a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, travel to New York City as a semi-
finalist in the Guitar Center Drum Off, and even place first in the “Drumerica"
National Teen Drumming Competition which was judged by many of my idols, such
as Kenny Aronoff, Tommy Igoe, Steve Smith, Daru Jones (Jack White), Kent Slucher
(Luke Bryan), Hannah "Ford" Welton (Prince), and many more.
Currently, I am a fourth semester student at Berklee majoring in Professional
Music with a focus in Performance and Music Business. I intend to graduate within
the next year, save up money, then move out west to Los Angeles, California. I am
excited to put in the effort needed to achieve my goals and gain the tools necessary
for my success.