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

  • Board of Directors (2004-2012) and Advisory Board (2013-present) of Altarena Playhouse, the Bay Area’s oldest continuously-operating community theater (founded 1938). 
  • Advisory Board, Custom Made Theatre Co., 2013-present.
  • Much of what I learned working with them and with others is summarized in my open-source Small Theater Growth & Development Field Manual. 
  • I’m the author and lead maintainer of Audience1st, the open-source ticketing/CRM/backoffice software designed expressly for the needs of small-to-medium community and semi-pro theaters.

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. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Custom Made Theatre Co., dir. Brian Katz), Sep/Oct 2019
  2. * Guys and Dolls (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Mar/Apr 2018
  3. In the Heights (Contra Costa Civic Theatre, dir. Ryan Weible), TBA Finalist Music Direction, Direction, Best Musical, Best Ensemble, Jul/Aug 2017
  4. * Chess (Custom Made Theatre Co., dir. Brian Katz), BATCC Winner Music Direction, Ensemble, Best Overall (SF), Best Overall (entire Bay Area), Sep/Oct 2016
  5. Next to Normal (Custom Made Theatre Co., dir. Brian Katz), BATCC Finalist Music Direction, Sep/Oct 2013
  6. Rent (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Mar/Apr 2013
  7. The Fantasticks (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Oct/Nov 2012
  8. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Mar/Apr 2011
  9. * Man of La Mancha (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Feb-Apr 2010 
  10. * Gypsy  (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Christina Lazo), Mar/Apr 2009
  11. Chicago (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Christina Lazo), Mar/Apr 2008
  12. Sweeney Todd (St. Mary's College, dir. Reid Davis), Apr 2009
  13. * Assassins (Custom Made Theater Co., dir. Brian Katz), TBA Top Ten, Jun/Jul 2007
  14. The Last Five Years (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Corrie Lenn Borris), May/Jun 2007
  15. You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Ron Lytle), May/Jun 2006
  16. * Merrily We Roll Along (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Phil Lowery), Oct/Nov 2006
  17. * The Man Who Saved Christmas (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Ron Lytle), Dec 2006
  18. Cabaret (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Phil Lowery), Sep/Oct 2005
  19. * Oh My Godmother! (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Ron Lytle), Jul/Aug 2005
  20. Company (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Phil Lowery), Mar/Apr 2004
  21. Company (Haste Street Players, dir. Phil Lowery), 1998
  22. Bye Bye Birdie (Baker House Productions at MIT, dir. Liz Ambrogi), Apr 1990
  23. Chicago (Baker House Productions at MIT, dir. Ben DeSousa), Apr 1989
  24. 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)