I was born in Dargaville, New Zealand where I began playing the accordion at the age of nine. While studying under Harley Jones of Auckland, New Zealand, I was the New Zealand National Champion for two years. After graduating from high school, I had the incredible opportunity to move to the United States to study accordion with Joan C. Sommers at the University of Missouri - Kansas City, where I obtained my Bachelor of Music in Accordion Performance.

During my studies, I represented New Zealand three times at the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships, the last time managing to attain fifth place.

In addition to the piano accordion, I also play the Bayan (C System Chromatic Accordion.) I felt it was important to understand and appreciate both instruments, which are found in equal numbers depending on which area of the world you are in. It was using the Bayan that I furthered my studies at the Conservatoire XII de Paris studying with former World Accordion Champion, Max Bonnay.

During my career, I have performed on radio, television and in concert in many countries as a soloist, as a member of The International Trio, the Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra (formerly the North Shore Accordion Orchestra) and as concert master of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra.