I was born in at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL to Robert and Valerie Cassarly. Kind of a big day for everyone involved, like anyone else who enters the world this way.

I officially started my K-12 education at Ebner Elementary school in Altoona, PA. I ended up switching to Wright Elementary School, back to Ebner for 5th grade, then finishing my elementary schooling at Wright the following year. I attended Keith Junior High School from 2007-2009, and Altoona Area High School from 2009-2011.

I attended Pennsylvania State University School of Music at University Park, PA for two years. I studied under Dr. Langston Fitzgerald, Jr. III as a Music Education and then Music Composition Major.

Between my third and fourth semester at Penn State, I was recruited into the U.S. Marine Corps. I got shipped off to Parris Island, SC, completed basic training, then finished combat training at Camp Geiger, NC. I served in “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps until I was discharged in April 2015 (it’s a long story, feel free to ask).

This period of time is something many U.S. military veterans experience after their service – especially those discharged before their time. I hopped from job to job, and was able to get stable work behind a desk or two.

I ended up meeting some fellow creatives, and started my own company named “Cassus Media” to fuel my endeavor to be self-employed and make a living doing something creative.

I graduated with a Bachelors of Music Production, with a focus in Business and Marketing. The degree sits on my wall, and besides that, I haven’t had a desire to have a full-time music career while running a marketing company – it’s part of the entirety of what our team does!

After two years of trying to run my company, I met David Maller during a concert with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra. Unrelated to my marketing company, I started a long-term friendship and apprenticeship learning how to make brass instruments, a useful skill that extends beyond the craft itself.

Since the apprenticeship began, I’ve been able to balance a life of entrepreneurship and music through both endeavors. Contact me to learn more about my story – I’ll tell you anything you want to know.