Some of the most meaningful things we build in life begin long before we realize where they are going.
For me, Rise Thru Music is one of those things.
I’ve known my fellow co-founders for more than 25 years. Over those decades, we’ve shared friendships, experiences, music, adventures, challenges, and the many twists and turns that life brings. We’ve watched each other grow, pursued different paths, and continued to stay connected through our shared love of music and community.
Now, after more than 25 years of knowing one another, we have the opportunity to build something together that can make a difference in the lives of young people.
That makes Rise Thru Music especially meaningful to me.
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.
It has never simply been something I listen to. Music has been a way to connect with people, create memories, tell stories, build community, and bring joy into people's lives.
Over the years, that passion led me into many different areas of the music industry. I’ve had the opportunity to manage artists and tours, coordinate festivals, handle booking and routing, oversee budgets and finances, work with venues and promoters, manage merchandise and promotion, and help guide recording and distribution projects from beginning to end.
I’ve had the opportunity to see music from both sides of the stage—from the organizational work happening behind the scenes to the energy and emotion experienced by an audience.
And through all of those experiences, one thing has remained constant:
Music brings people together.
One of the most important things I’ve learned throughout my career is that the value of music goes far beyond the music itself.
Learning an instrument can teach patience and perseverance.
Playing with other people can teach collaboration and communication.
Performing can build confidence.
Writing a song can provide a way to express emotions and experiences that might otherwise be difficult to put into words.
And sometimes, music simply makes someone happy.
That last part has always been particularly important to me.
I love seeing the way music can bring joy to people. Whether it’s an artist stepping onto a stage, a crowd singing along to a favorite song, or a young person picking up an instrument and discovering that they can actually play it—there is something incredibly powerful about that moment.
That’s what makes Rise Thru Music so special.
Our mission is rooted in the belief that financial circumstances should never prevent a young person from discovering the possibilities that music can offer.
Every child should have the opportunity to explore music, learn an instrument, find a mentor, and experience the sense of accomplishment that comes from developing a new skill.
But getting access to those opportunities isn’t always easy.
Instruments can be expensive. Lessons can be out of reach. Transportation, equipment, and other costs can create barriers for families who would otherwise love to provide those experiences for their children.
Rise Thru Music exists to help break down those barriers.
There is something incredibly rewarding about starting this journey alongside people I’ve known for more than 25 years.
We aren’t just starting an organization together—we’re bringing decades of shared history, experiences, relationships, and a mutual passion for music into the work.
That history gives us a unique foundation.
We know one another. We understand one another's strengths. We’ve experienced different chapters of life together. And now we get to take something we’ve all cared about for years and turn it into an opportunity to help others.
That is a pretty special thing.
My career has given me experience on many sides of the music business, but it has also taught me skills that extend well beyond music.
I’ve managed teams, budgets, projects, logistics, partnerships, events, and complex operations. I’ve worked with artists, vendors, venues, promoters, organizations, and audiences.
I’ve learned how to take an idea and turn it into a plan—and then turn that plan into something real.
That is what I hope to bring to Rise Thru Music.
But more than anything, I bring a genuine belief in the power of music.
I know what music has given me throughout my life. I’ve seen what it has given other people. And I want more young people to have the opportunity to experience it.
We don’t know where a young person's first instrument will take them.
Maybe they become a professional musician.
Maybe they join a band.
Maybe they write songs.
Maybe they discover a lifelong passion.
Or maybe they simply find a creative outlet, make new friends, build confidence, and have something that brings them joy.
All of those outcomes matter.
Because sometimes an instrument is more than an instrument.
It can be a source of confidence.
It can be a creative outlet.
It can be a connection to a community.
It can be a new opportunity.
And it can be a source of joy.
After more than 25 years of friendship, I’m incredibly excited that we now have the opportunity to build Rise Thru Music together.
Music has been a constant thread throughout my life. It has given me friendships, experiences, opportunities, and countless moments of joy.
Now, I want to help pass some of that joy forward.
That is what Rise Thru Music is about.
Creating access. Building opportunity. Inspiring young people. And helping the next generation discover the joy and power of music.
And I can’t think of a better group of people to build it with.