05/31/2026
May all your favorite bands stay together…
I started playing guitar at age 9, jamming to punk records and later studying jazz guitar at Villa Maria College in Buffalo. Before food and beverage, I was a music instructor and played gigs most nights—often for peanuts and free beer. Bartending and performing became two passions I balanced in my life.
In October 2023, we opened Essex, an 800-capacity music hall on University Avenue. Alongside a business partner’s father, I helped build the entire venue in just two months—a challenging but rewarding experience.
Though Essex faced obstacles that forced us to close, it led to an amazing opportunity: reopening one of Rochester’s most beloved music venues, Anthology. Since signing the lease in March 2025, we’ve hosted incredible bands and moments. Few things compare to standing side stage at a sold-out show, feeling the energy of the band and crowd become one. // 6/8
