It all started when I was about 5 years old.  My parents took me to the symphony orchestra.  I do remember at the performance, I was a typical fidgety child who has no patience for such a thing.  I had little interest.  But inside there was something that moved me.  I didn't realize it then but when I got home I found myself looking in the mirror with a stick in hand waving my arms like the conductor.  Who knew that was my beginning down the musical path.  I certainly didn't until now.
     Piano lessons began at age 7.  Just like any kid, I hated to practice.   Like everybody else who hates to practice, I only achieved as much as I put into it. Like any other kid, I never understood that the harder you work at something the better results you will achieve.  My failure to grasp the proper fundamentals at the time put me at a major disadvantage later.  I did manage to learn how to read music fluently and play some quite nice pieces.  But the lack of discipline to practice after five years of lessons swayed my interests in music.
     Since I always had  music in my heart it never completely left me.  I began singing in the choir and still dabbled with the ivories.  But no formal training for many years.  It wasn't until I went to El Camino Real High School that a major shift back towards the musical journey took place.  After watching the marching band I was moved just like I was when a young child.  I became obsessed to join this group.  I bought myself a trumpet with some birthday money and taught myself for several months.  My parents saw that I was serious and finally began trumpet lessons.  Finally I had learned that practice can make you achieve your goals.  After only a semester, I was able to join the marching band.
     My progress was easily seen.  I moved up the ranks and became an important piece of the ensemble.  I even represented my school in the All-City Band which marched in the Rose Parade and many other major events.  My own personal improvement down my musical journey influenced me to want to help others in seeking their musical dreams.  I had decided I want to be a music teacher/band director.
     I enrolled at California State University Northridge as a music major.  I was a member of the marching band and concert band ensembles.  I was on my way to realizing my dreams until a major stumbling block came upon me.  Remember those proper fundamentals I failed to learn at a young age?  Here's where they began to hurt.  I had major problems with scales on the piano, and from playing the trumpet for a few years deteriorated my bass clef reading skills.  Also I had major problems with ear training. I would never have passed the exam to graduate the program.  Also as a trumpet player at the university level, much more is expected out of you then I could possibly give.  I wanted to learn a little bit of all the instruments not be a master of one.  But in the end both the lack of trained skills and natural talents crushed my hopes of ever realizing my dreams. I did get to fulfill one of my dreams of playing at UCLA. While I never got to march with the "Solid Gold Sound", I did get to play in the pep band for the 1995 championship basketball season as well as play in the Wind Ensemble...which was both quite a treat.
     Although many musical accomplishments I did have, playing the first movement the Hummel Trumpet Concerto (considered one of the hardest pieces), and the opportunity to conduct a full ensemble; it just was not meant to be.
     But despite all the hardships, I still continue to play.  I play trumpet in a Community Wind Ensemble at a local college. Oddly enough the conductor is the very same person as my high school band director!! Yes, one of my original influences. Every time I play it is like taking a trip down memory lane. It kinda keeps the dream alive. I also continue to play keyboards and sometimes dabble in composition and orchestration. Also lately I've been picking up the guitar.  Things don't always come out as I planned though because of being strictly a note reader and because of my restrictions on natural ability and classical training. 
     So believe me being immersed in music as I am now is content. But in general, over the years it has become apparent that I was destined to be on the outside looking in when it comes to music.

A special THANK YOU goes out to Michael Mertens...who has been a long time inspiration and mentor. I thank you for the fond memories, the musicality and the discipline you've taught me. You will always be "The Music of My Heart."
And in loving memory of Dora Barshay who taught me to play my first notes.