My Story

It started some 40 years ago in a small town in eastern Ontario called Alexandria. For as long as I can remember, music has been a part of my life and the piano has been front and center. That’s the one thing I had going for me …. a love of music. I know for a fact that God blessed me with the gift of music, but I owe lots to my parents, Denis & Denise, for nurturing this gift.

I still remember my piano teacher from grade school - Mrs. Brown. She was patient and a great teacher. After completed my Music Conservatory - Level 1, I walked away from piano lessons. I know there are days my mother wishes she would have held her ground and made me continue! It’s okay Maman, it all worked out in the end. In 1982 our family moved to Timmins, Ontario and that’s when my love for music took on a life of its own. My first band was called “Rouge et Noir” and we were lucky to play several times for our entire school. During my junior year, I joined a local top-forty band. I was 16 years old and playing the bar circuit in Timmins. I played in the same bars and venues Shania Twain got her start in! In late 1987, my parents got me tickets to see Up With People. That night changed my life! After graduating from high school, I traveled as a student in Cast B88. I loved it so much that I returned to work for them as a band leader, show manager/vocal instructor and production manager.

It was in Up With People that I met the woman of my dreams. Heather and I have been married for 16 years and she’s been an inspiration to me since day one. We have three kids and several musical compositions have been inspired by them - including Child of God, Child of Mine (my wife Heather wrote the lyrics to this one.)