I was first a musician, then a professional ecologist. I began playing music at age 4 (a toy xylophone, that I insisted that my parents upgrade to a real chromatic xylophone so that I could play the sharps and flats), studied piano starting at age 8, studied oboe starting at age 12, and began composing at age 17. My oboe teacher in high school was Larry Thompson, English horn player with the Houston Symphony. I attended National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, twice during high school, where I played oboe in the band and orchestra, gave recitals, and took a composition class (including a visit by Aaron Copland). I tried writing atonal music, which was then in vogue, but after that summer, I put away that sort of music for good.

After my second summer at Interlochen, I was trained and ready to choose a professional music career. But I really loved science too, so I chose the field I loved that could earn me a living over the field I loved that would not. I became an ecologist and went on to do environmental consulting to help make the world a better place. However, I never stopped playing music, joining ensembles and orchestras in college and wherever I lived. I joined the Houston Civic Symphony as principal oboist in 1988 and I still play there to this day.

I love just about all classical music, but especially music from the European Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Romantic periods. You will hear echos of all these musical sounds in one or another of my works, and many of my musical forms were used in those periods. My goal is to continue the grand tradition of classical music with new compositions that will also be beautiful to hear and stirring to experience.

I would like to hear from you. Please send me an email by clicking here and let me know what you think.