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A
native of Rochester, New York, I began piano lessons at age 5 with my
mother. In time I studied at a variety of private studios including the
Eastman School. After high school, I entered SUNY Fredonia as an organ
major, transferring to Stetson University in Deland FL. While raising a
young family, I entered Peabody Teacher's College in Nashville. Later I
trained as a Navy broadcast journalist, and once a civilian again, I
spent five years as a classical radio announcer & producer at WPLN.
In 1985, I completed a bachelor's degree in church music at Belmont
College (cum laude) and returned for a master's in music education, conferred in 1991. The area of emphasis for my M.M.E. degree was
Elementary/Primary Pedagogical Methodology (translation: how to teach music to kids in K-8). My internship was at Montessori Academy in Brentwood
teaching pre-school through 6th grade.
More detail may be found in my CV
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With one of his boys--not a student!
Taking a MacBreak
See my Graphic Biography |
Tilling in Brentwood
As
a teacher of piano, organ and theory, I specialize in beginning through
intermediate level, and accept students of all ages.
I also teach most styles, including jazz & pop. Theory and
improvisation are text (method) based, since I believe it's crucial to
have an intellectual comprehension of the principals of harmony, melody
and form. People who can play by ear already do so...may the force be
with them! I also do some vocal coaching, but this focuses on
interpretation rather than vocal production since I am an
instrumentalist. |
You really don't know what
being an educator is all about until you've tried teaching music to a
group of 3 year olds! I've worked for local churches of every major
denomination as an accompanist, organist and
choir director. I hold membership in the American Guild of Organists and
am organist at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Franklin,
plus I work full-time for Vanderbilt in the Biochemistry Department. My
wife of 35 years, Carol, and I have two grown children, Benjamin and
Rebecca, two poodles (Bizet & Isaac) and two cats (Maurice &
Pierre). In our "spare time," you can generally find us at home in
Brentwood gardening and landscaping.
Isaac in the Backyard |
The greatest church musician who ever lived...age 35. |
Bach later in life--
no one said this line of work was easy!
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