In 1984, I joined the Lexington Philharmonic while I was a student at UK. Years later, I began Suzuki teacher training at the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. After witnessing my first playthru I was sold on the Suzuki Method! It was outside on a vast lawn with hundreds of kids playing simultaneously. I had never seen anything so exciting. I began teaching with LTEA soon after, I believe in the fall of 1991.

Some of my musical memories:

In middle school, I was one of the soloists with the MSU orchestra playing Bach Double. I had no idea who Suzuki was at the time or that this piece was in the Suzuki repertoire!

In high school, I traveled to Russia and Romania on an orchestra tour with CKYO. At the time, the Russian (Soviet Union) border was still considered the "Iron Curtain."

In college at UK, one of my highlights was playing Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This was under the direction of the late Phillip Miller who conducted the entire symphony by memory!

Lastly, as an "adult," I would have to admit that my most memorable performance to date was playing in a rock concert with Rod Stewart. I'll never forget the roar of the crowd when I entered Rupp Arena to walk onto the center stage. So far, I haven't received the same level of reception from concerts in Singletary but, there's still time!