Music/Theater

Classical Background

I started classical training at age 5 with private instructors, and later completed the Mannes College of Music (now part of the New School) Certificate Program including piano performance with concert pianist and educator Michael Boriskin and others, ensemble, theory, ear training, orchestration, choir, chamber performance, …the whole enchilada.

My graduation recital tracks are representative of that era, when my technical chops were slightly better than now but my musicality was less developed.  I still sightread quite well and often accompany soloists and participate in chamber music parties for fun.

Original & Cover Bands

My vintage 80s keyboards (Juno-106, D50, DX7) have a new lease on life in my 80s cover band Disposable Pop.

I’ve been keyboardist and drummer (sometimes simultaneously) for original & cover bands Spoon (MIT Battle of the Bands finalist 1990), More at Eleven (MIT Battle of the Bands finalist 1987), and Reminiscent Jam (MIT Battle of the Bands Finalist 1988).

Musical Theater Leadership & Support

Musical Direction Credits (* = original orchestration or reduction)

http://amzn.to/2hf2WuD
Much of what I’ve learned doing the productions below is summarized in my book Piano/Conductor: So They Talked You Into Being Music Director. Productions are listed in reverse chronological order.
  1. Dreamgirls (Altarena Playhouse, dir. ShawnJ West), May/June 2020
  2. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Custom Made Theatre Co., dir. Brian Katz), Sep/Oct 2019
  3. * Guys and Dolls (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Mar/Apr 2018
  4. In the Heights (Contra Costa Civic Theatre, dir. Ryan Weible), TBA Finalist Music Direction, Direction, Best Musical, Best Ensemble, Jul/Aug 2017
  5. * Chess (Custom Made Theatre Co., dir. Brian Katz), BATCC Winner Music Direction, Ensemble, Best Overall (SF), Best Overall (entire Bay Area), Sep/Oct 2016
  6. Next to Normal (Custom Made Theatre Co., dir. Brian Katz), BATCC Finalist Music Direction, Sep/Oct 2013
  7. Rent (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Mar/Apr 2013
  8. The Fantasticks (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Oct/Nov 2012
  9. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Mar/Apr 2011
  10. * Man of La Mancha (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Feb-Apr 2010 
  11. * Gypsy  (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Christina Lazo), Mar/Apr 2009
  12. Chicago (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Christina Lazo), Mar/Apr 2008
  13. Sweeney Todd (St. Mary's College, dir. Reid Davis), Apr 2009
  14. * Assassins (Custom Made Theater Co., dir. Brian Katz), TBA Top Ten, Jun/Jul 2007
  15. The Last Five Years (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Corrie Lenn Borris), May/Jun 2007
  16. You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Ron Lytle), May/Jun 2006
  17. * Merrily We Roll Along (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Phil Lowery), Oct/Nov 2006
  18. * The Man Who Saved Christmas (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Ron Lytle), Dec 2006
  19. Cabaret (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Phil Lowery), Sep/Oct 2005
  20. * Oh My Godmother! (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Ron Lytle), Jul/Aug 2005
  21. Company (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Phil Lowery), Mar/Apr 2004
  22. Company (Haste Street Players, dir. Phil Lowery), 1998
  23. Bye Bye Birdie (Baker House Productions at MIT, dir. Liz Ambrogi), Apr 1990
  24. Chicago (Baker House Productions at MIT, dir. Ben DeSousa), Apr 1989
  25. Guys and Dolls (Baker House Productions at MIT, dir. Ben DeSousa), Apr 1988
Other Original Reductions for Small Theater Pits: Oklahoma! (Contra Costa Civic Theatre, 1998)