I'm an Austin musician/song writer/coffee drinker, director/founder of a non profit for music education, avid cocktail maker and home bartender. I'm finishing my second year of (re)studying French, and my third year working with a ukulele master, as I learn the fine points of teaching this instrument.

When the summer hits, I like to get out of the Austin heat. This year its France in July, Toronto in August and New Mexico/Colorado in June. I love, love, love Paris and I look forward to meeting people (Couchsurfing) elsewhere in France this summer.

I have written and recorded a lot of music, and now I am absorbed in teaching (and learning how to teach).

I love learning about architecture, science, history, geopolitics, and I have had my own view of the world turned upside down many times.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have just started hosting, and so far, I have really enjoyed it. If you see some common interests in my profile, I look forward to hearing from you. I have lived in Austin for many years, and love to share my knowledge of the city and surroundings. I love to welcome people here.

I generally like to host people a day or two at a time. My schedule varies, so its catch as catch can.

Native French speakers (or skilled french speakers) please hit me up. Nothing helps me learn a language like a real live conversation.

If you want a crash course on ukulele, I have you covered. Also happy to kick back and enjoy music/vinyl, haunt local east-side bars, and enjoy all of the great live music options that are still surviving in this overgrown college town.

Music, Movies, and Books

Lately, I have been trying to learn pop and jazz standards from the 30's and 40's on both guitar and ukulele, but I grew up loving the Clash, Elvis Costello, post-punk, as well as jazz from the 50's and early 60's, like Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

I read a lot of non fiction, and I am currently reading a book by Oliver Sachs about music and the brain called Musicophlia.

I am fan of French New Wave films, and some other vintage films by Elia Kazan, Coppola and others. I love the Cohen brothers, and I've seen the Big Lebowski too many times to count.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Travelled around the world. Taught a village full of Indonesian kids to sing the blues, played drinking games with my English students in a remote province in China, and I chipped pieces of the Berlin Wall as the Soviet Empire was crumbling.

Teach, Learn, Share

In recent years, I have followed a course to study to learn to teach ukulele. I can teach people of all ages, at many skill levels. I absolutely love to help someone get started on the uke, teaching both songs, as well as fundamentals that will help them to understand and play music better overall.

I have never held a paying job as a bartender, but I absolutely love making cocktails that dazzle the tastebuds.

I love history, travel, sharing tales about my many years in Austin, and sharing my opinions about the world and geopolitics when people are interested. My views are far from conventional.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Aside from teaching ukulele, I am quite good at making cocktails, and might even share some tricks of the trade.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, China, England, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, China, New Zealand