Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Always heard the rhythm and drums in music before the words. Played on pots and pans, wooden spoons.
Begged my dad to buy me a real drum set. It took 2 years.
Played along with vinyl that my older brother and sisters left behind. Knowledge of blues and rock.
Graduated high school and went to college in ENGINEERING! Hated it but landed several well paid jobs.
Paid my own way into music school, was too immature, dropped out and tried every job known to man.
Got back into music, began touring and gaining knowledge about the business side of music.
Started a relationship, got married had 2 children, quit touring, raised my kids, put music on the back burner.
Started my own team building business, wrote jingles for advertising, attended college again to be a teacher.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Lo Ellen Park Sudbury, ON
Lo Ellen Park Sudbury, ON
Career
Musician, Teacher
Professional Musician and certified elementary teacher.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Music
Working Independently
Day to Day
The best days I have are when I get to be creative and someone finds a value in what I bring to the table. I get paid to do what I love. Music can be many things and in my case it has ranged from: recording in a studio to playing a gig for 2 people to leading a drum circle of 200 CEO's of Fortune 500 companies. It is a constant challenge to find people and places to hire you and is extremely competitive so there is much work "behind the scenes".
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
I chose the career path I am now in at a very late age compared to most people. I explored as many musical avenues as I could before choosing to get my undergrad in music and then attend teacher's college. If I had decided in high school to become a musician AND teacher it would have shaped my career in a more positive way. Knowing that YOU ARE GOING TO GROW UP and AGE and not be 16-17 forever is an important first step. Ask questions of people who seem like they are enjoying what they do.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"Music is not a profession. You should quit and get a real job. Ok you play music in a band but what do you really do? When are you going to grow up? I guess you take drugs and party all the time and get involved with many groupies."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
First-Generation Immigrant
First-Generation College Student
