Welcome
I was five years old when my father brought home a piano to our Bronx apartment. This timeworn piano had been housed in a bar, and regularly had drinks spilled inside, along with burn-marks on the keys. Undaunted, I began
playing what I heard on the radio, and started music lessons with a neighbor. I loved to hear my teacher play, but couldn't sit still long enough to finish a lesson. Two years later, I began my studies anew with our church organist and vocalist, Bernard Waters, who now sings with the chorus of the Metropolitan Opera. I made solid progress this time, and I began plugging away at Hanon exercises and
Für Elise before too long.Our family moved to Florida when I was ten years old. My interest in piano lessons waned as I became acquainted with playing sports and games outdoors. The forests, beaches, and swimming pools of South Florida were a big change from the cement-floored playgrounds in the Bronx.
After leaving piano lessons behind, I developed an interest in percussion, and played in my middle and high school bands. I still played the piano for my own enjoyment by reading pop music, easy classical arrangements, and show tunes. In high school, I became the jazz band pianist, and accompanied many fellow band members in local
music competitions.I enrolled at the University of Miami as a biochemistry major with plans to attend medical school. To maintain my hobby, I took piano instruction as a one-credit course. My teacher, Hanna Cyba, a doctoral candidate from Poland, assigned me "serious" classical repertoire for the first time. Hearing her speak about the Chopin Ballade I was playing gave me my first glimpse of musical artistry. Learning about the beauty, meaning, and emotion in this single work awakened within me a passion for being a true artist. She since has apologized to me, saying "It's my fault you're not a doctor!" To tell the truth, I'd rather be the pianist that I am.
I attended the New England Conservatory of Music for my Master's Degree. The talent-saturated environment motivated me to define an artistic vision and achieve a higher pianistic level. Boston boasts a vibrant contemporary music climate, so I joined several avant-garde music ensembles and performed frequently.
After my Master's Degree was completed, I was accepted to Carnegie Mellon University's Artist Diploma Program, an intense performance-based course of study. In 2005 I completed my studies, and was hired by CMU's Piano Preparatory Division. I also maintain a private teaching studio and present solo and chamber music recitals regularly in the Pittsburgh area.
