About Me
A Brief Musical Testimony
I have been playing music and singing with my family for as long as I can remember. When I was four years old, I began playing the violin classically, and a year later, I began taking piano lessons as well. My family all sang together growing up, and we continue to do this when we have the time. A few years after my start in violin, I began to branch out into other genres of music, beginning with bluegrass and old-time, and I even ended up playing with some swing and Gypsy-jazz groups, locally. Over the years, I have begun playing more and more with different groups, and I love the variety I now enjoy through playing music with others. In the beginning of my start in music, I primarily only played in churches, but now I have performed at many restaurants, festivals, weddings, markets, and other various venues.
My History with Bands and Orchestras
Other than my family band pictured above, I began playing with others when I was roughly 11. I first began with a group named the Ladies of the Pickin' Parlor, and then played some with a group called Amick Junction. From there, I joined a band called Palmetto Blue and stayed with them for many years, and we were honored to open for musicians like Del McCoury and Ricky Skaggs. After Palmetto Blue went on a sabbatical, I joined a group called Flatland Express and also began playing with another band called Pinehill Ramblers. In addition, I have subbed for some bands including the Blue Iguanas, Randy Lucas Trio, Two for the Road, Black Creek Ramblers, Pickin' Pearls, Flat Out Strangers, and several others. In contests, I have joined up with a number of my musical friends and formed bands called Big Okra, Appalachian Thunder, and Appalachian Mainline. I also have played in the Palmetto Chamber Orchestra in the past and was a member of the South Carolina Youth Philharmonic from 2008-2021, and while in the youth orchestra, I was selected to be in a showcase quartet for a year.
