Background

After watching me play "pretend piano" for a year or two, my parents celebrated my 7th birthday by giving me a new spinet piano along with the promise of piano lessons. That was the start of a muscial journey that took me from my weekly lessons with Miss Hopkins to Peabody Preparatory in Baltimore and on to the University of Maryland at College Park where I completed my Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in piano performance.
 
Not long before the piano lessons began, I acknowledged God's saving grace in my life during a Vacation Bible School class at a little Baptist church in Aberdeen. It soon became clear that faith and music would set the course for what was to become a career ministry.

Questions              

I always struggle a little when people ask what's my favorite Bible verse (I have the same problem when they ask about my favorite song or composer). God's Wisdom guides us through the diverse seasons of life, and He equips us for the challenges we face with mercies that are new every morning.  That said, the admonition of Proverbs 3:5-6 to trust the Lord and lean not on my own understanding has proven relevant to every unexpected transition and moment of uncertainty.
 
Sharing in the music ministry at Trinity is no exception. After 25 years of itinerant concert ministry, serving on a regular basis with a local community of believers is in some ways like starting over. One of the blessings God has provided through this transition is the fervent singing at the church. Playing along on the piano with such heartfelt worship has provided many moving and inspirational moments for me, and I'm humbled and grateful to be part of that corporate response to God's truth and glory

Favorites

Most pianists aren't known for their athletic prowess, and I'm no exception. I do try to work out regularly at my home "gym" which occupies the far end of my office, and I'll run a few miles when the sky's blue, the temperatures around 75, and I’m not feeling any of the aches and pains that seem to arise with greater frequency as 50 approaches. While I'm obviously a little weak on discipline, there's one thing that keeps me motivated when it comes to the workouts--I love to eat.

So tell me...

I see my role at Trinity as that of a facilitator. I hope I can create a musical atmosphere that's emotionally fervent but only to the extent that it heightens our awareness of God's majesty. If the musical experience trumps our response to the God we're singing about, then it's idolatry, not worship. It's a fine balance and because we're all unique personalities by God's design, finding it in the midst of a community of believers requires a great deal of sensitivity and deference.