What if everything you thought about rhythm—its complexity, its reliance on math, its dependence on notation—was flipped on its head? What if, instead of being something abstract and academic, rhythm was the most human, embodied, and intuitive part of music? This is the world you enter when studying with Ronan Guilfoyle (which I am now […]
January in South Carolina still doesn’t quite feel real to me… Background I played my first solo gig in the Myrtle Beach area on a warm, windy January afternoon near Florence, South Carolina, just a short drive from the North Carolina border. The temperature hit seventy-eight degrees. In January. Coming from years of Northeast winters, […]
There’s a moment that still sticks with me years later. It wasn’t a big ballroom. It wasn’t a packed dance floor. There were no dramatic lighting cues or grand entrances. There were about twelve people standing in a loose circle, singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” to one another — not at one another, but with […]
For many people, jazz can seem intimidating. The improvisation, complex harmonies, and spontaneous nature of live performances might make it feel like an exclusive club for musicians and aficionados. But the truth is, jazz is one of the most accessible, vibrant, and exhilarating forms of live music. Whether you’re stepping into a dimly lit jazz […]
When you think of the most iconic and distinguished venues in Myrtle Beach, the Dunes Golf & Beach Club almost immediately comes to mind. With its oceanfront views, rich history, championship golf course, and vibrant member community, the Dunes stands as a unique blend of Southern hospitality, coastal beauty, and timeless elegance. It is […]
Moving to Myrtle Beach has been one of the biggest transitions of my life, not only personally but professionally. After decades of performing across the Finger Lakes and Central New York, suddenly relocating to a brand-new scene came with excitement, curiosity, and a fair amount of uncertainty. When you build a music career anywhere, so […]
Week two in Myrtle Beach is officially in the books, and if the rest of this journey continues at this pace, I’m in for one of the most exciting chapters of my musical life. When I packed up and moved here, I hoped things would unfold gradually — that I’d meet people slowly, feel out […]
I didn’t expect my first week in Myrtle Beach to feel like jumping into a river mid-current, but that’s exactly what happened. I arrived with boxes still taped shut, guitars still in their cases, and the faint hum of the long drive still buzzing in my head. I was so excited to be here, I […]
There’s something magical about a great cover song—one that doesn’t just imitate the original but transforms it. A reimagined cover has the power to reveal hidden possibilities in the music, to shift its emotional core, or to shine a spotlight on a rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic element that might have gone unnoticed before. One of […]
The beauty of weddings is that they are never just about two people. They’re about families, cultures, and communities coming together to celebrate life, love, and the power of connection. At a recent winery wedding, I had the honor of bringing those worlds together through music — from tender processional songs drawn from the indie […]