I started my musical journey with piano lessons and children's choir, but found my love of stringed instruments when I began taking violin at the age of ten. Over the years I added acoustic, electric, and bass guitar to my stable of instruments, before eventually finding my musical home on mandolin.

By integrating experiences from years of classical violin training, orchestral playing, guitar lessons, rock and worship bands, and as a member of a mandolin ensemble, I have developed a comprehensive approach to mandolin and guitar playing that will help you build a strong technical foundation for any genre, from classical music, to jazz, rock, choro, bluegrass, folk, worship, and more.

I currently perform most frequently as a member of the Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra, where I lead the First Mandolin section.

I also chronicle my day-to-day journey with mandolin on Instagram under the username @mandolinwithben, including everything from polished performances, to excerpts of practice sessions and improvisation.

I live in Chaska, MN with my wife and two cats. Besides playing music, I enjoy hiking, birdwatching, audio and video production, studying religion/philosophy, and drinking green tea.