Musical Philosophy

I am a professional musician and a professional music teacher. It is how I pay my bills and it is how I spend most, but not all of my day (and night). You may read an earlier version of this philosophy statement here.

Please think about the variety of avenues by which people hear music. The list is impressive: YouTube, CDs, records, radio in the car, MP3s on headphones in the bus, background music in the elevator, streaming at work, coffee shops, school gymnasiums, discos, rock clubs, jazz clubs, street corners, singing in the shower, barefoot kids singing in slums, and even classical music concerts played by people like me.

The fact that people experience music in such a variety of ways forces me to embrace that music means different things to different people and frankly speaking I very well might love music more than a lot of people do. Even the definition of what it means to love music is inherently fluidic. What does someone mean when she says, “I love music?” Does it mean that she feels bliss when she listens to her favorites? Does it mean that she loves to create the music? Does it mean that she can’t live without it?

I genuinely believe that music can change minds. Now of course as performers and teachers we always want the changes we bring about in people to be profound and sometimes they are. But realistically not every concert and not every lesson is going to completely transform people. And I’m fine with this.

Playing and teaching music is an opportunity. It is an opportunity to brighten someone’s day. It is an opportunity to spark some curiosity. It is an opportunity to continue cultural traditions. It is an opportunity to bring art to life. It is an opportunity to embrace the nuances of life. It is an opportunity to make you and others smile. I love that I have this opportunity to play and teach music and you can count on me to continuing doing it as much as possible.