I believe that everyone has their passion; one area of focused interest that defines us and shapes who we are as people. It could be one of a million things: performing live music, playing a particular sport, getting absorbed in a game or visiting a place you've always loved. For me, that one thing is a fascination with Japanese culture and language.

I grew up in New York and moved to Pennsylvania in 1999, where I graduated from Penn State Hazleton in 2004. There I was elected president of the Multi-Cultural Club two years in a row, which was when I first started becoming interested in Japan.

Before my senior year, I applied to teach English as a second language for Nova Group in Kumamoto, on the southern island of Kyushu. I was accepted and taught there for a year in 2004 and 2005. I can easily say that it was one of the greatest experiences of my life and I'm looking forward to when I can go back and visit sometime soon.

In my free time outside of work and studying, I enjoy playing guitar and doing outdoor activities such as hiking, deep-sea fishing, and paintballing. I'm also a big fan of epic poems, with two of my favorite books of all time being The Divine Comedy and The Iliad.

Please send all inquiries to:
lessons@robaatosensei.net