Tell us a little bit about you and your background.

As a child I was always been interested in Cartoons and Manga, and some things never change. I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember and that followed me through university where I received my degree in Graphic Design and Animation at Rutgers.

What attracted you to work at One River School?

The course types and facilities made me think “wow I wish I had this when I was little” which is a sentiment shared by many of the parents we give tours to. That and the friendly culture the school cultivates.

How would you describe your role here?

I guess it depends on who you ask. To the kids I’m the guy that’s always down to talk about their favorite cartoons, music, and anime. To local businesses, I’m another artist from One River always available for partnership and event planning. To the families, I’m a kind and understanding friend always willing to help with their issues. And within my team I’m always willing to help come up with the best solutions for any of our issues

What do you think we do best at One River?

The culture for sure. Walking in, you’re greeted with fun music, a warm front staff, and beautiful artwork either wall to wall with student work or an eye-catching professional exhibition that inspires creativity. Going further we have a diverse teaching staff filled with passionate artists and educators. The studios feel so new age and give a fresh vibe contrasting the wooden old art building aesthetic typical of the space. The embracing of new and old media with subjects such as manga, street art, and animation brings in a whole new generation of creatives.

Is there a special One River moment that stands out for you?

The Christmas party for sure. It was so nice to go out for drinks with the full-time staff and chat. As artists it’s a great experience to be able to talk about your work and about life with others that have similar experiences. It really felt nice to engage with members of the other locations.

What do you enjoy outside of One River?

Live music has always been a large part of my life. Though I don’t play live as much anymore I take weekly guitar lessons and will attend a conservative estimate of at least thirty shows a year ranging from local basements and bars to larger venues and halls. Music will always have a large piece of my heart.