Occupation: I am a drummer/musician/educator/sound scientist/rhythm doctor.

Family: I have the best momma and poppa, and a brother who I’m lucky enough to call my best friend; and a new sister-in-law (to be) who is a wonderful addition to the family.

How long have you lived in Newtown? 25 years! Born and raised.

What do you like to do in your free time? My free time mostly consists of music. On top of practicing, I love to create. Whether it be cinematic soundscapes, or strange drum-realm type creations, it’s amazing how quickly it takes up time. I also really enjoy reading, stretching, and watching movies.

What is your favorite book? I recently read a book called Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice by Mark Plotkin. It follows the travels of a young ethnobotanist who studied Amazonian shamans and cultures and how they live in harmony with the plants and trees around them in order to heal and treat a variety of ailments. Another book I read is called Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness by Peter Godfrey-Smith. I think the title speaks for itself as to how amazing and intriguing the book is. Fair warning: you might feel a little different about eating these animals after learning about just how alive and aware they truly are.

What is your favorite travel destination? For beaches: Costa Rica. For all around experience: Kauai, Hawaii — also Toledo, Spain: it is like stepping through a time machine into a medieval world left untouched.

What is the best part about Newtown? The community itself; we’re strong and full of love. Even in these tough times, people still look out for one another and care about each other.

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? I used to play baseball, and was involved in Jazz Band all through middle school and high school. Since graduating, I’ve played drums for the Choral Society, played drums for the NewArts performances of theatre shows, and as of now I’m a teacher at Inspiring School of Music, located right at Edmond Town Hall.

Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life? Aside from my parents and a plethora of different drummers and musicians, I’d say my biggest inspiration is love and passion. It keeps my mind open, always wanting to learn, and to embrace everything and everyone with a sense of wonder and empathy. This translates to drumming and creating music so well, because it’s imperative to be in the moment and feel everything that comes your way. As my fellow musicians know, things can change on a dime — it’s our job to ride the wave and accept whatever happens.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? Right now, I am super into [natural historian] David Attenborough and all he has seen and learned about the planet upon which we live. I think as humans we take for granted what we have and view ourselves as being separate from nature, when in reality, we are all very much one and the same. So I’d be interested in hearing his take on it and hearing stories of all his travels.

Who is your favorite musical artist? My favorite? Impossible. But Stevie Wonder will forever have an immense spot in my mind. Every one of his albums is a masterpiece that I’ll never get tired of hearing. Another musician by the name of Munir Hossn is also on the list. His music is both intricate and simple and takes inspiration from every aspect of life — something I admire very much.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? To live presently; not obsess about the past and not to worry about the future. To always be present with whatever it is you are doing and take nothing for granted.

What is something you cannot live without? The ability to create. Drums are my muse of choice, but whether it be a melody, a picture, a food creation, etc, I think it is such an important piece of the human experience.

What is your proudest accomplishment? One of the things that sticks out is watching my drum students progress: their smiles when they finally achieve the task at hand, the thrill that fills their eyes as they try and succeed at new things. I think being able to impart the knowledge of my craft is one of my proudest accomplishments. Also, I’ve had the tremendous privilege of learning and playing with such fantastic musicians over the course of my career. I’ve been shown something from every single one of them and I am eternally grateful.