I was born in Santa Cruz California and raised in a household of artists. I learned to fly fish at an early age and spent several years as a board member for the Santa Cruz Dry Fly Fisherman's Club. I attended CSSSA, a summer art school held at CalArts, in 1996. I majored in sculpture at CSSSA and returned in 1998 to study film. During this time I also ran cross-country, participated in track and field, made multiple films, and worked for an Academy Award winning production company. Also, in high school, I was heavily involved in an AIDS awareness organization called Q&A.
After high school I left Santa Cruz for Humboldt State University, where I majored in ichthyology: the study of fish. During my stay in Arcata I began fencing, and within a year I was teaching classes at the college and running the club. Two years into my college education I changed my major and moved back to Santa Cruz to focus on film. Within the subject of film I centered my studies around the Chinese Main-Land, Taiwanese, and Hong Kong Cinemas.
At UCSC I wrote for EyeCandy, an on-campus film publication, I continued fencing, and I began to study martial arts. After I graduated college I moved to Seattle, Washington to take a job managing a homeless youth and young adult program for 13-25-year-olds. This job defined me in many ways, both professionally and personally. After two years with the program I left to travel the world.
With no distinct plans I eventually found myself cycling across China and Pakistan. On the Indian-Pakistani border I bought a motorcycle, taught myself to ride, and rode it from there to the southern tip of India. I finished my trip in Thailand after almost 8 months of overland travel.
When I returned to the Bay Area, I worked at a Hospice organization, and soon after that I took a job with a homeless youth art program. During this time I started The Cardboard Tube Fighting League, which quickly spread throughout the world. Today there are branches in Sydney Australia, Bristol England, San Paulo Brazil, Tokyo Japan, Toronto Canada, and all over North America. Between 2006 and 2009 I worked with an internet startup called the Human Creativity Project that aimed to improve image searching while helping artists sell their work. Most recently I have returned to school to become LAMP certified, while working at the largest board game store in San Francisco.
Achievements
Started an International Cardboard Tube Dueling Organization 2007-Present
Traveled overland across China, Pakistan, India, and Thailand 2005-2006
Carlson Center Community Partnership Award 2004
Wrote for Eyecandy: an on campus film theory publication for UCSC 2001-2002
Ran the Humboldt State Fencing Club 1999
Successfully taught college level fencing classes to more than 30 students 1999
Founder of the Multi-style Sparring Club at HSU 1998-1999
Volunteered with Q&A Aids Awareness Program 1997-1998
Bob Einsweiler Sportsmanship Award 1998
California Arts Scholar, Cal Arts, for both 1996 and 1998
Board member for the Santa Cruz Dry Fly Fisherman's Club 1992-1993