An Abbreviated Muical History

I was first introduced to the piano when I was about five years old. I didn't like it all that much. Being forced to spend 45 minutes in front of the keyboard every day wasn't precisely my idea of fun. Eventually, though, I played a series of Sonatinas by Robert Vandall. Then I fell in love with the piano. Despite my passion for the music, though, I never really gave it the time it deserved. I always figured that it was merely a hobby of mine. So I played at your usual high-school contests and gave a few recitals, but that was pretty much the extent of things. After my freshman year of college, I pretty much stopped playing for four years. During this time, I was intent upon my upcoming carreer as an overpaid 23 year-old in Silicon Vally. Two years ago, I joined an a cappella group, the Stanford Fleet Street Singers. It was then that I slowly began to realize how much I missed music. I spent a year restoring what piano skills that I had during high school, and now I am taking lessons again. Currently, I intend to become a conductor. Toward this end, I have begun to direct most of my energy toward this goal. We'll see what happens after I finish my master's.

Piano Instruction

I have been taking lessons with Dr. Frederick Weldy, senior lector of piano at Stanford, since June of this year. He's done inestimable wonders for my technique. Thanks Fred! Prior to Dr. Weldy, I also took lessons from James Goldsworthy, and Stuart Davidson.

Saxophone and Voice

In addition to playing the piano, I recreationally play alto sax. I have also been singing since the middle of elementary school, most recently with Fleet Street. I sang bass in the group for two year, and am now a proud "old fart" of the group. Finally, I have started picking up various string instruments, including violin and cello.

What's in the background?

The background image is the first page from the fourth movement of Mahler's Ninth Symphony. When I discovered Mahler's music, he quickly became my favorite symphonic composer. Of all his works, this is the one to which I am most attached and which I most desire to conduct in the future. For more information about Mahler, his symphonies, and his life, I highly recommend "Gustav Mahler, The Symphonies" by Constantin Floros as published by Amadeus Press. It provides a great overview of his ten titled symphonies and Das Lied von der Erde.

Other Musical Friends

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