About Me

A Little Bit About Me and My Work

I’ve often been asked what kind of music I play, and do I play professionally? My answer is that I’m versatile, I play many styles. And that versatility has enabled me to make a living as a musician. As a ballet accompanist I’ve played classical and improvised music. As a church musician I’ve played classical and contemporary, gospel, popular, written and improvised, solo and choral music. I’ve played lots of jazz gigs, ensemble and solo.  I’ve done many concerts of classical and jazz music, sometimes combined. And as a teacher I’ve taught reading, theory, improvisation and performance.

My various work experience has also given me opportunities to travel. I worked as an accompanist with Pacific Northwest Ballet on a tour in Alaska. I accompanied spiritual singer and leader Charles King at several regional Unity Church retreats in Michigan and California. I was the pianist for a British Beer Hall duo on a cruise from Panama to San Diego. I accompanied the Bellevue Chamber Chorus on a tour of Southern France (where my interest in and knowledge of French came in very handy!).

Over the years I’ve written a lot of original music. I’ve recorded several CDs of my own compositions and arrangements, which you can listen to here. I’ve also played on and arranged songs for recordings made by friends and colleagues I’ve met along the way, such as Tonya Ferris, Stefan Mitchell, Bev Daugherty and Garnett Hundley. I’m currently working on a big project. I’m writing what I’m calling PoemSongs. I’ve set many of my favorite poems to original music (piano/vocal). Stay tuned for recordings of these! All this to say that I love music, it’s a lovely way of life for me! I hope you find some enjoyment in my work!

 ~ Rob