There is so much more to music than the actual music…
Behind every piece of music, behind every musician, is their own story. And without that story, the music is meaningless…
I grew up in a Filipino household, where music was considered a hobby and nothing more.
My ears guided me towards the beauty of jazz improvisation.
Through jazz, I found a freedom that pulled me into the idea that music was certainly not just a hobby; it needed to be my profession.
I established roots in San Francisco for music school, where I found myself performing, composing and teaching frequently.
In 2023, my grandfather passed away.
During the middle of the school year, I continued on while dealing with the emotions surrounding his passing.
I struggled to continue with music…
Until I found a way to use music as a vehicle of true human expression and emotion, and share that with my community.
The freedom of improvisation and composition allowed me to find a new passion in music, beyond the theory and notes.
And with the community of peers, musicians, and supporters understanding and embracing this experience, I found a greater meaning behind music.
With his passing, I now approach performing, composing, and teaching music with a new perspective, one informed by our collective human experiences, shared by our musical community
Music is so much more than what you’re hearing.
It is the culmination of every person’s life, journey, relationships, and experiences.
It is the community of people sharing their own experiences together, in the moment, through the music,
It is the relationships we build and create,
Without our experiences, our relationships, without other people, then it is simply just sound.
If you want to work with someone who lives and breathes this philosophy in everything surrounding music, then…
Education, Experiences, and Credits
Education
Completing my Bachelors of Music in Roots, Jazz, and American Music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music
High School Degree from the Orange County School of the Arts, Jazz/Winds Studies
Private study with legendary jazz trombonists Steve Davis, Jeff Cressman, and Andre Hayward
Notable Performance Experiences
Performances with Ulysses Owens Jr., Arthur Verocai,
SFJAZZ Education, Gala Events
Stanford Jazz Festival
Performances at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, SFJAZZ Joe Henderson Lab, The UC Theater
2nd Chair Trombonist for the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra
Gigging Experiences
Band leading and Side-person
Jazz Cocktail / Wedding Music
Restaurant jazz background music
Teaching
7+ Years of One-On-One teaching experience of all ages
Stanford Jazz Workshop Big Band Coach
SFCM Tutoring Department for jazz and music theory
Student Teacher for the Dragon Kim Foundation
Recording Credits
Counterstrike 2
Jazz Music Supervisor on upcoming animated short film “Goro-Goro”