I grew up in a musical household in California. My parents introduced me to everything from Bartok to Blue Mitchell, and one of my favorite toys was a box of rhythm instruments my dad kept in the hall closet. It’s no wonder I picked up the trumpet at the age of nine and played that thing right up until my first lease agreement specifically said “no horns.”

As an alternative, I began singing and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, I became entangled in a variety of day jobs and set music on the backburner for a shameful number of years. Finally, I have realized that I don’t want to work in an office…

I’d rather just… sing.

 Now I study with Cathy Segal-Garcia, and have taken lessons with Madeline Eastman, Kathleen Grace and Kate McGarry. I’ve had the pleasure of playing with incredible musicians like Larry Koonse, Randy Porter, John Wiitala, Todd Hunter, Corbin Jones, Aarón Serfaty, Carey Frank, David Arnay, John Leftwich and my brother, Louis Cole. Combining my love of music and film, I directed and edited the first Hans Groiner video, and helped produce some of the first videos for the band Knower.

Singing is my passion; it makes my bones and skin feel good. I love to find the humor in lyrics, and I’m never happier than when I’m improvising a new melody with familiar words. Having had the good fortune to grow up around an eclectic mix of musical styles, I enjoy finding lesser-known songs and incorporating different genres into every set.

photo credit: @craigallynphoto