When his father took an expatriate assignment in the Fiji Islands in 2005, Ivan moved overseas with his family. They couldn't take their piano with them so he picked up the guitar instead. Since returning to the US, Ivan has worked hard to develop his own unique voice as an artist. Ivan is rooted in blues, rock, classical, and finger-style genres but has become primarily known as a jazz guitarist.
Ivan was selected for the Utah All-State Jazz Ensemble as a highschool freshman. He played and recorded with other bands through high school including national DOWNBEAT magazine award-winning ska band LoFi Riot, and the Crescent Super Band. Ivan graduated from Utah State University in 2019 with a degree in guitar performance where he was selected for the top big band and jazz combo since his freshman year. He recently finished a Master’s Degree at the University of North Texas where he worked teaching classes and private lessons as a TA. Ivan has performed with many renowned jazz musicians -- including Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin, trombonist Waycliff Gordon, saxophonist David Sanborn, percussionist Pancho Sanchez, and others. Ivan has over a decade of teaching experience and has developed a rigorous curriculum for developing guitarists.
