Bio
An Improvised Life
I began, as all musicians do, improvising in the cradle, wordlessly exploring my voice, moving my body to any music I heard, shaking rattles and banging on any tools I could get my hands on. Growing up in a musical household, my parents sat me at a piano as soon as I can could sit unsupported, and I never looked back.
In college and grad school, I majored in music education, with trumpet as my primary instrument. After a long detour into the United Methodist ministry (a career that saw me improvising sermons from my first times in the pulpit), I returned to teaching, focusing now on young musicians and learning the Orff approach to full-body improvisational learning.
Romance brought me to the world of improv. In 2009 I met Amy Milshtein, then taking her own first steps into comedy improv. I soon found myself at the keyboard at Portland ComedySportz, music directing short form, but soon moved up to long form work, eventually music directing entire 90 minute improvised musicals.
Now retired from teaching, I am taking my music directing and teaching skills on the road, playing, leading workshops, and facilitating drum and singing circles. I'm portable: if you're in driving distance, I can bring my own keyboard; if I have to fly, you'll need to provide one. Contact me with questions and opportunities1 I would love to help you become more musical!