| I'm a 25-year-old piano technician, and moved to Boston in September 2010 to study at North Bennet Street School. I lived in NY's Capital Region from 2003-2008, first at Skidmore College and then while I worked in Troy at a piano restoration shop. While there, I got into songwriting and performing at local open mics and other cafe gigs. I sing and play piano, harp, and guitar. Though I haven't done much musically since moving home to NH in May 2008, it's still a part of my life and I plan to get back into it. In the meantime, I have a CD that well represents my time in NY, which was released in May 2007 and is entitled This Must Be Hello. |
 Musical Background:
I started piano at age 7, and took lessons for 10 years (mostly of the mixed-genres/contemporary type, though I did one year of classical). Up until college, I played at recitals, in jazz band, as accompanist for my school's choirs, and at pop concerts and talent shows.
Though piano has always been my primary focus, I've also been involved with band/orchestra and chorus since grade school--my main instrument was bassoon (7 years), and I also played some clarinet, alto sax, and flute. It wasn't until later in high school that I did any solo singing, and those times were few and far between.
I started playing harp my freshman year of college, and owned a pedal harp (Camac Clio) for a couple years. I played it in orchestra, and it's the harp recorded on "Haven" (the CD version). I have since traded that harp for a smaller, more portable folk (lever) harp--a Dusty Strings FH36S. I also picked up guitar early 2006 (I have an Art and Lutherie folk model), though I'm still pretty amateur with it. It's featured on two songs on my CD.
Influences:
Probably my most direct influence has been Norah Jones (on her first CD), but in more general terms I put Jim Brickman, Marian McPartland, Matthew Banks, and Ryan Adams at the top of the list--though really, ANY music can be counted as some kind of influence, including all the sheet music I've played over the years.
Songwriting/performing:
I wrote my first song (No One Way) June 2004, and things unfolded from there. I immediately started recording what I had, sharing songs with family, friends, and folks online. Soon after, I found myself performing again--I found a few open mics to play at, the most influential and rewarding of which being Caffè Lena's in Saratoga Springs, New York.
After completing my CD in May 2007, and doing few summer gigs, I kind of fell out of the habit of being active in the music scene. When my boss retired the following year, I headed home to NH and have been even less productive musically since. It's something that's always in the back of my mind, though, and I know I'll get back into at some point. I finally wrote a NEW song in August 2009, it's nothing amazing but it's a NEW SONG! Hopefully I'll have that recording up soon.
Inspirations:
No One Way was written for someone who really inspired me to follow through on a dream I've had as long as I can remember. He's incredibly talented, a wonderful person, and I will always remember what he's done for me.
While in NY, I met so many wonderful local musicians, many of whom became good friends of mine. It is a really special thing to be among people who love music at its purest level, are brave enough to share it, and open enough to welcome others to join in. Especially lately, I've been craving that atmosphere, and plan to make more trips back to Saratoga as soon as I can! |
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