I am a self-taught guitar play (acoustic and electric). I started formal music training when I graduated from the University of Waterloo (Bachelor of Mathematics in Computer Science & Business Administration). Aside from a stint playing a trombone in Grade 8 with braces on my teeth, I have never had any formal music training during public school and high school but I have always been interested.

I bought a 5-string banjo (bluegrass genre) and took lessons in the Geography Room of my old high school and met a teacher from my home town here in Pickering Ontario. After a few months of public lessons at the high school, I took a few years of private lessons in his home in Pickering. He later introduced me to the 4-string tenor banjo (Dixieland Jazz genre) by taking me out to hear his local band, the Ragweed Jazz Band (a Dixieland Jazz Band).

I bought my first 4-string banjo at a Banjo event (FIGA - Fretted Instrument Guild of America, now called Allfrets)in Flint Michigan. I still have this Weymann #2 in what is now, a collection of about 7 to date. These instruments were designed and manufactured in the 1920's by the Weymann Brothers in Philadelphia. They are rare and are known for their outstanding craftsmanship, quality and unique design. One of those patented design features is a clip that allows the musicians of the day to remove the resonator in 3 seconds turning the instrument into an open back, more muted sound suitable for big bands.

We remain lifelong friends and joined the Barbershop Harmony Society at the same time. I sing both Baritone and Tenor in both a men's chorus and in quartets.

So, I am really a Banjo & Barbershop guy with a keen interest in Cigar Box Guitars. This interest comes from this diverse music history.