(1:58)


"My father put masking tape over the cracks in my first bass."

. . .But I didn't begin as a bass player. . .Trombone was my instrument until fifth grade or so when throat problems forced me to give that up. When I was eleven or twelve, a bass found its way into my hands, and hasn't left them since. As luck would have it, my elementary school had an orchestra—I was hooked from the very beginning. . .


"What good is an instrument if you play alone?"

I've been doubly blessed—Myron Thomas—director of Music at Hingham, Massachusetts public schools—always made sure there was an orchestra to play in. My experience in grade—school led to a series of orchestras in succession—junior high, high school, regional, all-state and all-eastern orchestras followed like clockwork, one after the other. During this time, I graduated from Mr. Thomas's lessons to study with William Curtis, who in turn sent me to Leslie Martin. Finally, I auditioned for Marvin Rabin and Edward Krolick and played in The Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra.


"He told me to put all my eggs in one basket."

My playing caught the attention of Dr. Artin Arslanian, GBYSO's conductor my senior year in high school. One day, he called my father and me to his home. My dad was an insurance executive, and cautious by nature, so when Dr. Arslanian suggested I pursue music above all else, my father was skeptical. But Dr. Arslanian backed up his belief in me; he arranged for me to enter Boston University without an audition. I then went on to finish my training at the New England Conservatory of Music, studying with Gary Karr.
       Actually, I've always known I was born to be a musician. Armed with tremendous desire, dedication, and a great education, in 1970, I was ready to prove it.