Born and raised in Miami, Florida, music was always a part of JR's life. Having learned to play and read music in middle school, he continued pursuing music at Hialeah HS in Miami, FL. It was there in which JR's passion for music and the marching activity really began to grow and take shape. As a member of the Marching band, Wind ensemble, Concert Jazz Band and Indoor Percussion, he took every opportunity available to grow as a musician, as well as a leader. After graduating from high school, JR continued to help out at Hialeah HS as a marching tech and instructor for the Indoor Percussion Ensemble.
During his senior year in high school, JR was introduced to the world of Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as, Bands of America. It was through these experiences that he developed an interest in visual design and the marching pageantry.
In 2000, JR joined the Boston Crusaders and performed with them for 2 years before aging out. While the Boston Crusaders were soaring to new heights and claiming their stake as a consistent finalist, many members of the staff played important parts in JR's development as a performer, instructor and designer.
After high school, while teaching and performing, JR attended Florida International University where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at FIU, he became a member of the Golden Panther Marching Band and Basketball Pep Band for 2 years, including the inaugural season. It was this opportunity, post drum and bugle corps, which allowed JR to continue to develop as a designer through the mentorship of the Golden Panther Band's Director.
In 2000, JR joined the director at Miami Springs HS in Miami, FL as part of the design team and Visual Captionhead. He helped rebuild the program and turn them into consistent state finalists finishing state runner-up 2 years and winning multiple Visual and Colorguard caption state championships. During his time there, JR was also part of the team that grew the winter programs eventually achieving the goal of getting the winterguard program to a level they could compete in Dayton at the WGI world championships.
2005 brought JR the opportunity to expand into the Drum & Bugle Corps world as head visual tech for The Magic Drum & Bugle Corps. During a re-design of the show, he was given the opportunity to write the drill for the re-design and shortly after was named Co-Visual Captionhead.
After a year off from the activity to get settled into his job as a Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer, JR joined the staff at Palm Beach Central HS in Wellington, FL, where he continues to serve on the design team and as Visual Captionhead. In his 9 years with the program, the Palm Beach Central Bronco Band has consistently finished in the top 5 at state regionals, as well as, finalists at the state championships with 5 silver medals and a state championship title in 2016.
JR currently resides in Stuart, FL.