He has studied, performed, and taught extensively on five instruments, and holds performance and education degrees from Cleveland Institute of Music and the Eastman School of Music and the Dalcroze certificate from Juilliard. He studied cello with Richard Aaron, Desmond Hoebig, and Alan Harris, viola with Jeffery Irvine, plus studies in violin, piano, and viola da gamba. He has performed chamber music with members of the Cleveland Orchestra, was the cellist of the Samford String Quartet, and the Brandywine Trio, and currently performs as a member of the Ballance Duo.