My SKOOL clay students want: - my instructor to be engaging and entertaining - my instructor to recognize the challenges of teaching clay online vs in-person - instruction that builds on my level of experience whatever that may be - clear instructions that communicate across language/cultural boundaries - to be a part of a learning community where we learn from one another - constructive criticism that is encouraging - as much video, hands-on demonstration as possible - my instructor to use tools & materials that are readily available and not expensive - clear objectives for what each project is to accomplish - each project to be self-contained and delivered in short, digestible segments - to feel good about investing my time and money on this instruction

I’m a retired architect who somehow ended up right where I started ...building things that have structure, intention, and occasionally sound. My primary interests are ceramic musical instruments like whistles, ocarinas, and sculptural forms that were making music long before sheet music existed. I love complex pieces made from multiple clay parts: assemblies where form, balance, and airflow all have to agree with each other (clay, as you know, does not negotiate easily). If it whistles, sings, or hums and stays upright, I count that as a good day. I’m especially drawn to the historical side of clay and sound...ancient instruments, ritual objects, and the clever ways early cultures used earth and breath to communicate, celebrate, and tell stories. History, to me, isn’t dusty; it’s hands-on, playable, and occasionally cracked and repaired. I teach workshops that include real academic content, but I teach them conversationally. Expect stories, analogies, practical demos, and the occasional pun (I’m a grandfather, it’s contractual😉). My goal is to make complex ideas feel approachable and to remind us that clay has always been both serious business and playful fun. If you’re interested in clay, history, music, or building things that do something unexpected, welcome. Pull up a stool. We’ll make something that holds together and maybe even sings. Current location: Kingston Springs, Tennessee (just west of Nashville)