My motto is that the best way to be successful is to help others become successful. My father and grandfather were musicians. I have been passionately studying music since the 5th grade. I started playing professionally when I was 16 in dance bands. I started playing in the Spokane Symphony when I was 17. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Music Education from the Indiana University School of Music where my primary function was playing in the Opera orchestra. I taught 3rd through 9th grade instrumental music in the Louisville School District. I then decided that I preferred to work one on one.

I studied Spanish for two years in high school because the school did not offer Italian, which was the primary language of music, so I took the closest subject - Spanish. My minor in college was Spanish. After teaching I joined the Peace Corps and worked in Chile in 1965 and 1966. I also worked with Spanish speaking farm workers in Weiser, Idaho for two years and worked as a social worker in California for six years primarily with Spanish speaking people. I also played bass in a soul band for years, as well as the Oakland Symphony.

I started composing music in 1972 and have written eight musicals, one opera about the Native American history, 13 music CDs including classical (3), jazz (2), rock (2), R&B Gospel (1), children's music (1), Latin (2) and a variety of other genres.

I also worked as a paralegal with Spanish speaking farm workers in Washington State and have been in Mexica and Barcelona. So, I have spoken a variety of dialects.

My mission for the past several years has been to help people tell their untold stories.