Brian was born in the small town of Chelan in Central Washington. It is so small that its 3,000 residents don't even lock their doors at night. Chelan has a jewel, and that is the lake which was found to be one of the cleanest freshwater lakes in the country. So during summer the town population doubles when tourists flock to swim, fish, picnic, or cruise in the lake. 

Brian's father Cal was a Math teacher at Brian's school, just across the street from their house. When he retired, Cal spent a good deal of his time taking care of their flower garden and fruit orchard where Brian got used to enjoying fresh peaches and nectarines right off the tree. Brian's mother Shirley, runs a shirt shop which keeps her very busy during tourist season. Brian has one older brother and one older sister. His childhood memories are full of moments of going hiking and fishing with his grandfather and father in the waterfalls and river of Entiat River Valley. Later after graduating from college he also traveled 14,000 miles around the country for two months in a car all by himself.

In this peaceful but fun environment Brian grew up loving and excelling in many sports activities, from BMX racing, to basketball, to golf, and downhill ski racing. He was so good at it he competed in many races. In school he excelled in academics as well, being a consistent honor student and got a full scholarship to Wenachee Valley College after finishing high school as a valedictorian. He earned a degree in Music Education from Central Washington University, graduating magna cum laude.

Brian's happiest memories growing up revolve around Lazy-F church camp. He spent many summers at this church camp and also worked as cook for Togiak River Fishing Adventures in Alaska. This is how he got his training in cooking until he became head cook. His parents remain active with church activities, and it is no accident that Brian also became a choir director for the United Methodist church when he moved to Mississippi. 

Brian would have wanted nothing more than to teach Band or Music in his hometown or close to Chelan, but the fact that music teachers stay on their jobs for 15-30 years makes it difficult for him to find teaching opportunities in small towns. 

His first year in Mississippi was a mixed blessing. He found himself in an environment rich in music talent, where people live and breathe gospel music, rap, bluegrass, soul, rhythm n' blues, and country music. He found it both challenging and fascinating as a novice teacher who also happens to be white in predominantly black community. He obtained his masters degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in the summer of 2003.

In Thailand he discovered an entirely different challenge, which is to integrate Thai and Chinese folk and modern music in the curriculum for his Thai and Taiwanese students.

His future plans include marrying his fiancee and making babies who will have her reading abilities and his map reading skills.