Biography

    I started blowing Glass when I was 15 years old at Island Glass Studios in Northeast Minneapolis with Tom Rine and Tom Maras.  There I got my first taste of glass blowing working as an apprentice.  I worked there for two years during the rest of my high school career.  Also during my senior year of high school I took two semesters of studio glass blowing at Anoka Ramsey Community College under Bob Toensing.

    After high school, I went to the University of Wisconsin River Falls to start my undergraduate career.  I was working toward a Bachelor's of Fine Art in glass under the instruction of Jim Engebretson.  However, during my sophomore year I decided to go on a study abroad trip to Taiwan that really changed my direction in school.  I took some time off from glass blowing and returned to Minneapolis to study Child Psychology and Chinese at the University of Minnesota.


    In October of 2005 I rediscovered my passion for glass blowing and found Foci Glass studios and began to work as a studio manager for Michael Boyd, the owner.  It has been an amazing experience to work for an organization dedicated to improving exposure in the area for existing glass artists,  teaching those from the public who are interested the art of glass blowing, providing facilities for those who do not have their own studio to blow glass, and educating the public about glass and the making of it.

    Since graduating college, I have started this business and make my full time living from glass blowing.  I show my work in galleries nationally, at art shows around the country as well as display my work at Foci Glass studio.

    I owe a lot to all the glass blowers above who have generously given me a chance to work in their studios and have taught me this craft as well as the other glass blowers that I've come into contact with along the way who've helped me immensely.