I began playing the trumpet in 7th grade, and for two years I sang tenor in my high school's literary quartet. I enjoyed reading music and I responded deeply to beautiful harmony. In 2005, my sophomore year at UGA, I had heard that the Baptist Student Union needed some brass players to fill their pit orchestra for an upcoming production. I learned that they annually put on a dinner theatre show as a fundraiser for summer missions. This would become my first exposure to the world of musical theatre.
The production was 42nd Street and I found the ensemble music to be very challenging and fulfilling. But when we began rehearsing with the cast, I was constantly distracted from my music as I got caught up watching and singing along with the actors on stage. I wanted to be a part of that in earnest, and two years later I got my first chance when I was cast as the male lead in Thoroughly Modern Millie. My passion for musical theatre was born and before , I was performing in four shows a year.