CREDITS
This project wasn't realized alone. Many people have directly or indirectly influenced how I shaped my craft and this website.
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FIRST
I want to thank Austin Kleon for his bombshell of a book, Steal Like An Artist. It reminded me that most people borrow techniques to perfect their craft, and that's natural. Thanks for changing my life forever.
Check his work out at http://www.austinkleon.com/​​
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NEXT
I want to thank Dan Koe, whose timeless wisdom and ability to excel in multiple fields reminded me that this project is not only possible but also needed for myself and others in the 21st century.
See what I mean at http://www.thedankoe.com/
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FINALLY, MOST IMPORTANTLY
I want to thank my wonderful wife, Chelsea, for always being supportive of my entrepreneurial endeavors, hearing my new ideas, being my sounding board, listening to me practice my instruments, and so much more.
You are my best friend, and I love you, period.
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OTHERS
There are many others I wish to thank, and I'm not sure this website can handle them. I'll provide a shortlist, knowing that I definitely missed a few great ones at the time of this writing.
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GOATS
Elon Musk – Working 100 hours for yourself > Working 40 hours for someone else
Gary V – Staying optimistic when the going gets tough
John Mayer – For being a musical chameleon
Taylor Swift – Your compassion for your fans and team is legendary
Tim Ferriss – Emphasizing: Productivity > Being Busy
Walter Lewin – Making physics enjoyable and mathematically approachable
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Anyone involved in scambaiting, such as Pierogi, Kitboga, Jim Browning, etc. Keep fighting the good fight!
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COLLEAGUES
Aaron Olsen – Boss music director and bigger boss producer
Abigail Warren – Being the first person I met who also loves music and nature
Alli Coffin – Reminding me to keep the creativity in my craft
Andrew Henderson – For your selfless sacrifice to make others' lives better
Andy Carmona – Your chillness while being a boss in Music X Photography X Business
Chris Carbajal – Encouraging me to learn saxophone in 180 days
David Stone – Bringing the energy on and off the stage
Eric Kern – Keeping excellence at the forefront of performing
Erin Zhironkin – Pushing me from surviving to thriving
Geoffrey Porter – Keeping me grounded when my thoughts go wild
Isaac Rothwell – Smoking me in my first rap battle as my co-instructor, 2016
Kailey Lohrman – Commanding excellence while being an actual human being
Leah Davis – Keeping sustainability at the forefront of everything
Lindsey Ponder – You're pretty weird and talented, yet you own it
Luke Stillinger – For being a Jedi (maybe Sith Lord?) with combining logic with music
Mikey Moore – For combining joy and energy in music
Nathan Reimsche-Vu – For challenging me to be forever young in my ventures
Warren Gray – Racing me to Portland, OR, on a whim from NY; Music X Engineering
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TEACHERS
Avik Chatterjee – Showing me the joys of chemistry
Cassandra Corbett – Never putting up with my crap in orchestra
Charles A. S. Hall – Teaching me scientific thinking
Elmore 'Cootie' Harris – Being a boss martial artist and jazz teacher at 95 years old
Gary M. Scott – Teaching me engineering prowess
George Englehardt – Pushing me as a jazz trumpet player
Irene Kipp – Teaching my impatient kind my first instrument
Mary Lynne Peters – Reminding me to choose joy
Nasri Abdel-Aziz – Making calculus fun and applicable
Pete Johnson – For keeping me dialed in and on track with my many interests
Scott Cressley – Pushing me to my musical limits and beyond
Thomas Amidon – Teaching me how to manage people with empathy
Wallace Wakeman – Teaching me patience and long-term thinking
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FAMILY
Mom – Driving me to hundreds/thousands of rehearsals, always listening to me
Dad – Encouraging me to pursue my dreams on the West Coast
Ryan – Your devotion to work to provide for your son/my nephew
Ron-Jay – Giving me a place to stay when I moved to Portland
Grandma Betty – Always asking how my adventures were going
Charlene (aka Mom 2) – Always keeping this wild child on his toes
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STUDENTS
Cathy B. – For being twice my age and willing to learn new things
Olya S. – Pushing me to teach and add value to others fulltime
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...and so many more that I'll add on a different day.