Berklee Graduate, Piano Principal, Music Synthesis (1989)
University of Alabama, Masters Degree, Music Composition (1993)
The power that music has to connect us with memories can be absolutely magical and intoxicating. It pours itself into each person’s unique mold, and resonates differently to match what we need. I love that. It’s always been a place of safe refuge for me, and it’s comforting to know that it can be for others...???
I’ve been a student of piano since age 7. Started composing at 11. Won some AMTA state (AL) competitions for composition and performance at 14 & 15 (respectively. I got degrees from Berklee (1989) and Univ of Ala (1993) in Music Synthesis and Composition (respectively),and pulled together what I thought was the best of my work and produced Water Circle the year after graduate school (1994). The beauty, mystery and power of nature has always been my primary musical inspiration. Every composition has a visual image or story (real or imaginary) that plays in my mind to accompany the music. It all started 40 years ago (captured in my "Nature Suite for Piano" album, which was composed through my high school years, 1981-1985.
It has been said, that “Art imitates Life.” We certainly know, thru experience, that music is an expression of life. But it can be so much more. My favorite quote, from C.G. Jung, is his attempt to define Art, “Art is a bridge thrown out toward and unseen shore...” which I interpret to have spiritual, mystical properties—a yearning, reaching toward connecting with something greater than ourselves.