If you like, please begin by telling us anything you would like to about yourself. Age, place of birth, residence, etc.
Age 49
Place of Birth     Hartford, Connecticut
Residence          Winfield, Missouri

What made you decide to play the violin?
I played when I was younger, not very well, but I missed it. So I though I would take it up again.

How long have you been playing the violin?
I have been playing since July I think.

How often do you play? How long are your practice sessions?
I have not picked up the violin in a couple weeks. I was playing everyday, several times a day. My practices sometimes lasted for several hours.

In your opinion, what's your proficiency on the violin?
I really have no proficiency on the violin, but that is ok with me, I am working on it!

Your greatest personal experience with playing?
Just playing something recognizable, I am shooting for playing something beautiful, but I will take what I can get.

What does music mean to you?
Music expresses very pure emotions, I close my eyes when I hear a favorite song, (unless I am driving) and at times some very vivid imagery is produced. Music is tied to memory, some songs remind me of milestones in my life, good and bad. Some songs remind me of loved ones and friends who are no longer with us.

What or who has been your greatest influence?
Musically? I really never gave it any thought. I enjoy almost all music, even music in languages unfamiliar to me.

What are your goals for playing violin? Short and long.
I would like to play a song and have someone tell me it was beautiful. That will fulfill both goals.

What type of violin training?
Suzuki method for 4 years, over 30 years ago.

How do you warm up?
Play open strings and notes very slowly, play some very simple tunes like Twinkle Twinkle. I do like to stretch my shoulders, neck, forearms, wrists and fingers before playing.

What is your favorite type of music?
Loud classic rock. I like Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix

What is your favorite piece of music? Why?
I really like the Theme from Shindler's List. I really don't know why, I have read numerous books about the Holocaust and the subject is beyond my understanding. How people could be so evil, and how people could survive such cruelty, and how some risked everything to save others simply humbles me.

What are your 2 favorite things to do other than playing violin?
Believe it or not, I like to go to work, I love my job. I love to read, a wide range of subjects from humor to astronomy.

Do you come from a musical family? If so please tell us about them.
My sister plays piano, my brother played trumpet, one son plays trombone and guitar, another plays trumpet.

Are you a member of any orchestra?
No, but thanks for asking…lol

Do you ever perform publicly?
I play on my front porch, sometimes the public drives by.

What do you work with?
For a job? I am an electrical lineman, I build, maintain and repair powerlines.

If you don't mind, please share with us information about your violin and bow and if you have several please tell us about them as well.
I have two violins, the first one I purchased online for $100 to see if I still had a drive to learn the violin. It seems I did have the drive and purchased a good student violin which cost quite a bit more. The first violin is a blue Cecilio and the new one is a natural finish, Helmke. Both are made in China.