About Me

I have had an interesting journey to become a school counselor and college counseling consultant. It all started at the University of Delaware, where I began my studies by majoring in Vocal Performance. I quickly realized this was not right path for me, and collaborated with the Music Department faculty to create a new degree in Historical Musicology—the study of Music History. I had some incredible experiences at UD, singing at national conferences and international competitions with the fabulous University of Delaware Chorale and performing with the University of Delaware Opera Theater. I wrapped up my first four years by writing my Honors Thesis on contemporary film music and graduated, ready for the next challenge.

I began this next chapter of my life at the University of Maryland, continuing my pursuit of Historical Musicology. In the process of completing this Master's program, I once again realized I was not on the right path. I enjoyed my research, but I felt like something was missing. My favorite part of this degree was the work that I did with undergraduate students, helping to teach them the music history sequence and to appreciate and value all forms of music and art. While I could see myself working as a Music History professor, my experiences at both the undergraduate and graduate level had made clear that research was the focus for college faculty; teaching was secondary. I briefly considered the thought of becoming a music teacher at the high school level (which is the job of my lovely wife), but realized that I wanted more hands-on work in helping students develop ideas about the entirety of their life, rather than just the role that music plays in it. 

I wanted to help students with college and career readiness in the way that I wish I had been helped in high school. So, I earned my MA in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling from Montclair State University, where I was privileged to again work as a graduate assistant. This experience fostered very close relationships with the faculty at MSU and led to not only an enriched experience in the classroom, but also to excellent research opportunities with my professors. I have been lucky enough to publish some of this research in the time since I graduated and I remain close with the faculty at MSU, going back to speak to graduate counseling students at every opportunity. In the spring of 2020, I was awarded the Alumni Outstanding Professional Achievement in School Counseling Award from Montclair State's College of Education and Human Services.

I have worked within public schools with students in grades 6-12, and extracurricularly with the K-12 population. I love helping students to find what intrigues and excites them. Assisting them in discovering their passions and determining how they can turn that into a career is the most fulfilling job anyone could ask for! My primary work is as a high school counselor with students in grades 9-12, and I take on private clients as a college counselor in my spare time, in addition to working as a tennis coach. My circuitous educational path gives me a unique perspective on the role of a career in one's life and the importance of loving what you do everyday. My experiences are particularly valuable in helping students interested in pursuing a career within the arts, but I work with students interested in any and all career paths. I live in North Jersey with my wife, Emily, our children, Michael and Julia, and our cat, Sadie.