YOU CAN LOSE
SIGHT AND STILL
HAVE VISION

I was born on October 29th, 1976 in Duluth, Minnesota. My family quickly realized there was something very different about me, though they could not decisively put their finger on it. I was very light-skinned, had bright white hair and was nearly blind. Thinking there was something very wrong with me, my mother took me to a specialist at the University of Minnesota. The doctor revealed to her that I had the genetic mutation known as Albinism. Finally, there was a reason to all of my interesting characteristics. I struggled through school with my vision problems and tried to stay out of the sun as much as possible. 

Around age 12, my vision improved greatly. Nobody knows why, but it was a welcomed change. I turned to drumming and art to distract myself from the stress and awkwardness of albino life. Once done with high school, I went to school for graphic design at the Art Institute of Minnesota in Minneapolis. I didn’t know a soul when moving to Minneapolis. It was quite the journey.

I met some people that introduced me to paid gigs playing drums at mega churches around the Twin Cities. This helped me connect with some of the best musicians in the area. I was offered gig after gig. This took me into the studio, playing tons of live shows and touring the country. It was a dream come true for me.

I spent a lot of time playing on albums at the famed Third Ear recording studio. I assisted with owner Tom Herbers for a couple of years before I started bringing my own bands in to record. It was quite the crash course in engineering and production. I once dropped Tom Herber's Neumann U67 ($8,000 microphone) on the floor in front of him. I just said, “F#ck” and walked away. Thankfully, Tom still talked to me after this ridiculous mishap.

I found myself freelancing, as a graphic designer, at many of the best ad agencies and companies in town. Fame, Martin Williams, Best Buy, Target, Fallon and Peterson Milla & Hooks.

Different types of work always came my way. As time went on, I was working more on producing albums than doing graphic design. I did this for several years, working between Minneapolis, Nashville and New York. Working with some of the greatest artists really changed my music life. In 2003, I was approached by the Institute of Production and Recording about teaching Audio Engineering and Music Production. I was very honored to be asked, but was a bit concerned about not having any teaching experience. I took the job anyway. Quickly learning that I loved teaching. Many of my students are still working in the industry to this day. A testament to giving encouragement to them.

At present day, I am freelancing as a music producer / web designer / developer. Three of the things I love to do and live to do. I still struggle with eyesight that’s not quite perfect, but I have vision like no other.