Education

1994-1996

Central Michigan University-Mt. Pleasant,MI

Bachelor of Science- May 1997

Music Theory & Composition Minor

English Major

Guitar Study

Piano Study

Magna Cum Laude- GPA- 3.66

Centralis Community College Scholarship award, Golden Key National Honor Society,

Vice President’s List, National Dean’s List, Central Michigan University Honors List

 

1992-1994

Delta College- University Center, MI

Associate in Arts- May 1994

Classical Guitar

Piano

Music Theory and Composition

GPA- 3.87

Delta College Honors Scholarship Award, Sara Hansen Music Scholarship Award

Early Musical Instruction 

1986 / 1989 - Guitar Lessons 
Don Dillon’s Music - Portage, MI
John Reimer - Instructor

1986 / 1989 - Guitar Lessons 
First Class Music - Portage, MI
Jeff Kowzobucki - Instructor

1989 / 1991 - Guitar Lessons
Mid - Michigan Music - Midland, MI
Michael Robertson - Instructor

1991 / 1992 - Guitar Lessons
John Nelson - Instructor
Midland, MI

1992 / 1995 - Guitar Lessons
Classical Guitar Focus
Delta College - University Center, MI
Brad Deroche Ph. D.

1995 / 1996 - Guitar Lessons
Jazz Guitar Focus
Earl Hines - Instructor
Mt. Pleasant, MI

1996 / 1997 - Guitar Lessons
Jazz & Theory Focus
Sonny Roots
San Francisco, CA
 

Experience

1998 / Current                       

Ripke Studio- Brighton, MI 

Owner / Director   

Guitar Lessons

Bass Lessons

Beginner Piano Lessons

Beginner Drum Lessons

Music Recording & Production

Music Performance & Education Video Production   

2019- Current    

C.A.R.Ma Quartet 

Guitarist - Eclectic Traditional Band

Two Grammy-Award Winners    

Albums Released

Cosmic Convergence       

 

2021

Columbia University

Music Education Presenter

Association for Popular Music Education

 

2016 / 2021

First Steps Pre-School- Brighton, MI

Pre-K & Elementary age Music Programs

 

2015 / 2021             

First Presbyterian Children’s Care Center- Howell, MI

Pre-K Music Programs

 

2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Michigan Arts & Touring  Grant Recipient

Michigan Arts & Humanities Council 

 

2019 / 2020                        

Rudolf Steiner Academy- Ann Arbor, MI

Guitar

Music Program

Modern Band

 

2016-2019

Michigan Connect Conference- Howell, MI

Music Education Presenter

 

2019

Music Education Presenter

Association for Popular Music Education

New York University, New York City

 

2016-2019

Ann Arbor Hands on Museum

Mr. Dan’s Holiday Music Show

 

2013-2019 

Sumkali                                                   

Guitarist - Sumkali- Indian Jazz Fusion Band

World Music Award Winner - Detroit Music Awards

Albums Released

Tihai

Dha Re Da

 

2018

University of Michigan

2018 World Beatles Symposium for the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Peppers. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

 

2018

New York University- New York City

Music Education Presenter

Association for Popular Music Education - Nashville, TN

 

2001 / 2017 

Ann Arbor Music Center- Ann Arbor, MI    

Guitar Instructor       

 

2016

New York University- New York City

Music Experience Design Presenter

 

2013 / 2016            

Schoolbell Early Education Development Center- Brighton, MI

Pre-K Music Programs

 

2003 / 2013

Back Forty

Guitarist-Rock Bluegrass Fusion Band

Albums Released

Down Home Funkgrass

Big Orange Tent

Play a Little Music and Drink a Little Booze

Live in Grand Rapids,

Yax Trax

 

2006/ 2008

Musiker Discovery 

University of Michigan

Band & Music Theory Classes

 

1998 / 2007             

Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts - Ann Arbor, MI

Guitar Instructor 

Band Instructor

Music Theory Instructor

Songwriting Instructor

Music Technology Instructor

Business Manager          

 

2001 / 2004     

Gail’s Music Studio- Whitmore Lake, MI

Guitar Instruct

Bass Guitar Instructor

 

1997 / 1998         

San Francisco Symphony- San Francisco, CA

Administrative

Ticket Services

 

1995 / 1997        

Midland Center for the Performing Arts- Midland, MI

Administrative - Ticket Services

 

1995/ 1997      

Mid-Michigan Music- Midland, MI

Guitar Instructor

 

1994 / 1994      

Bickley’s Music- Mt. Pleasant, MI

Guitar Instructor

 

1992 / 1994            

Delta College- University Center, MI

Faculty

Director of ear training lab

 

1992 / 1993            

Pullen Elementary School- Mt. Pleasant, MI

Tutor- At Risk Youth

 

1993 / 1994            

Central Michigan University

Tutor- English Department

 

1992 / 1997       

Sun Spirit Arts & Music Festival

Creator / Owner / Director