With no formal musical training, Jace considers himself the "odd man out" when working with Xander and Bella. Rather than relying on formal theory, Jace has allowed the pure pulse of the music to inspire him. Without the mixed curse and blessing of formal training, Jace has always been free to experiment with his own ideas and create his own styles.

Jace began his romance with all things rhythmic at the age of 13, when a family friend introduced him to the art of percussion and showed him a few rudimentary drum kit rhythms. Inspired by this experience, Jace saved enough money from summer jobs to purchase his own kit, and proceeded to drive his entire family insane with the noise.

Never content to be mainstream, Jace almost immediately set out to explore the wide range of percussive opportunities. At the age of 15, Jace began to practice his drumming talents on stage with some of the local music scene's regular players. He deepened his core of percussive fundamentals during 4:30 AM High School Drum Corps rehearsals, and another of his bands took first in a major "Battle of the Bands" exhibition.

Jace spent the next six years working in the local music scene. At the age of 21, disaster struck and Jace's Ludwig Vistalite Clear drum set was stolen. The theft of his drums led Jace on a series of unfortunate events which forced him to drop out of music entirely for the next few years. At the age of 26, Jace was introduced to Middle Eastern dance, rekindling his interest in music.

Jace's interest in music was sparked by the complex, delicate interplay of rhythm prevalent in the Middle Eastern style of music. He purchased a doumbek-style drum, and began learning more about Middle Eastern music, particularly hand drumming. It was during this time that Xander and Jace spent many hours discussing the core concepts that have evolved into the Graceful Abyss project.

Over the years, Jace has played many different musical styles, such as jazz, country, reggae, drum corps, and zydeco, but still gravitates towards "traditional" heavy/hard rock music.

Jace credits artists such as Disturbed, Sevendust, Juaquin Rodrigo, Danny Elfman, John Williams, Dead Can Dance, Hossam Ramzy and many unknowns in the world of informal drum circles as heroes and major musical influences. With the exception of some eclectic pieces, Jace's arsenal exclusively includes Remo brand hand drums.