He holds a bachelor of music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, a master of music from Northwestern University and a doctor of Music from Indiana University. His teachers include Robert Marcellus, Clark Brody, Larry Combs, James Campbell, Howard Klug, Eli Eban, and Lawrence McDonald. He has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. In addition to teaching at Luther College, he holds the Principal Clarinet position with the La Crosse (WI) Symphony Orchestra.