Practical Skills For Everyday Learners

Before the Music, behind the Music, within the Music, is Tehilla, the Undying Song of the Spirit.

The following summarizes how Tehilla has resonated within me:

My Music “Ministry”

1959 1st Church of Christ, Scientist Derby, KS

• pre-school Sunday School brings awareness of God (age 5)

• backyard solo Voice and Dance Worship experience, during which

I see "God peeking out from behind the clouds"

1961 Elementary School Limestone, ME

• Bible Summer School – 1st visitation from Jesus (age 7)

1963 1st Church of Christ, Scientist Homestead, FL

• Salvation experience (age 9)

1963 1st Church of Christ, Scientist Huntsville, AL

• full time Sunday School attendance

• first piano lessons

• 1st public performance at a Piano recital

1964 – 1965 1st Church of Christ, Scientist Redondo Beach, CA

• full time Sunday School attendance

• 2nd public performance, playing accompaniment to PTA meeting skit

• 3rd public performance, in a Piano recital

During this same time, I met and became friends with Frank Zappa, who

named the song "Dwarf Nebula and Processional" from a description I gave

him, of the dwarf nebula I had a picture slide of. I told him about God, but I

don't think it mattered to him.

1967 – 1971 1st Church of Christ, Scientist Bellevue, WA

• part time Sunday School pianist

• many public performances, at school "noonies", functions and other meetings

• composed and performed score for original Drama Class play, during Senior year

• invited to perform for Senior Graduation ceremony; played an improvisation loosely

based on Emerson, Lake and Palmer's "Take A Pebble"

During this same time, I received offers to play piano/keyboard with:

• Sha-Na-Na

• Pink Floyd

• José Feliciano

• Janis Ian (collaboration resulting in the song "At Seventeen")

1967 – 1971 (cont.)

During this same time, I wrote 6 movie theme songs for Laurie Johnson, who was a

classmate. I also wrote the Love Theme for the 1970 version of "Jane Eyre", starring

George C. Scott. I did it as a favor to George, who was never able to return it.

In 1973 I was invited by Guitarist/Vocalist Nancy Wilson to join her and her sister, Ann,

in Canada, to help form a rock band that they were going to call "Heart"....

In 1977 I met a member of the Cannon Group, who was attending the same college

where I was studying. My association with this person resulted in my providing him

with a 5-tone sequence which later became World-famous from its use in the movie

"Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind". I did it as a favor to my friend from the Cannon group.

In 1978 I was invited to study piano with Vladimir Horowitz, who had heard me improvising.

He told me that I had "the makings of a great pianist". Too bad I didn't have the finances of

one, so I could have afforded to take Vlad up on his offer....

In 1978, after returning from college, I wrote a song, which I was going to publish and record.

The agent I was introduced to made a recording of the song, and then disappeared, leaving

me with nothing. It is known today as "Nadia's Theme". God knows.

1981 United Pentecostal Church Federal Way, WA

• part time Worship pianist

1981 - 1983 United Pentecostal Church Bellevue, WA

• full time Worship pianist

• Piano accompaniment - Choir

• Piano accompaniment – Solo Voice and Instrumental worship

During this same time, I received offers to play piano/keyboard with:

• The Steve Miller Band

1985 United Pentecostal Church Long Beach, CA

• parttime attendance only

1987 – 1992 Calvary Apostolic Fellowship Garden Grove, CA

• full time Worship pianist

• Piano accompaniment – Solo Voice and Instrumental worship

• Piano accompaniment - Choir

During this same time, I collaborated on movie themes for:

• Beauty and the Beast

• The Perfect Weapon (starring Jeff Speakman)

1992 – 1993 Vineyard Christian Fellowship Anaheim, CA

• CAIR group graduate

• co-leader 26-week Men's 12-step Recovery group

• Worship seminar attendance

• 1-on-1 Worship Music guidance from Eddie Espinoza

1994 – 1998 Southland Vineyard La Mirada, CA

• full time Worship pianist

• Piano accompaniment – Solo Voice and Instrumental worship

• Piano accompaniment – Choir

• Elijah House Basic Training graduate

• Large Team Ministry Training graduate

• Small Team Ministry Training graduate

• Board of Elders ('94 - '96)

• co-leader, Home group ('94 – '95)

• co-leader, Home group ('95 – '96)

• Leader, Home group ('96 – '97)

During this same time, I received offers to play piano/keyboard with:

• Pearl Jam

• Pluto Boy

• The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince)

• Helen Baylor

• Larnelle Harris (backed up)

• Mariah Carey

During this same time, I was the original Keyboardist for JAMS, 4-piece backup band for

"Higher Calling" a 6-person female vocal group supporting Crystal Lewis (Dove Award-winning

Contemporary Christian Female Vocal Artist).

During this same time, collaborated on more movie themes:

• "I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You" - Love Theme for "The Mask of Zorro";

performed the string part on keyboard, using MIDI; played the keyboard accompaniment for

Marc Anthony and Tina Arena, at the debut of the song

• the "Lab scene" theme, for "Alien Resurrection", starring Sigourney Weaver; this theme

was used as a basis for much of the rest of the movie's score

During this same time, I was asked by Dino Kartsonakis to give him some lessons on Improvisation.

During this same time, I studied briefly with John Novello, famed contemporary Jazz Organist.

1998 – 1999 New Hope Fellowship Vero Beach, FL

• full time Worship pianist

• general Ministry and Leadership involvement

1999 Vineyard Christian Fellowship Hartford, CT

• visiting Worship pianist

• Home group participant

1999 – 2000 Vineyard Christian Fellowship Gresham, OR

• full time attendance

• Home group participant

• Alpha program graduate; played keyboard at final meeting's dinner

2001 – 2004 Vineyard Christian Fellowship Hartford, CT

• "on call" Preacher

• "on call" Worship Leader

• Associate Pastor, Prison Ministry/Visitation (2003)

• Associate Pastor, Youth Outreach (2003)

• full time Worship pianist ('01 – '04)

• Home group participant

• Home group Worship Leader ('02 – '03)

• Home group Leader

During this same time, I received a follow-up offer to play piano/keyboard with Mariah Carey.

I declined, after not hearing the Lord say to pursue.

During this same time, I collaborated on movie themes:

• "Ultraviolet" (fireworks scene) – this theme was used as the basis for most of the rest

of the score

• a Marilyn Monroe-type character made-for-TV movie

• the Nexium ("the purple pill") TV commercial – solo keyboard

2007 – 2009 Restored Life Fellowship Arcadia, CA

• full time Worship pianist

• part time Home group Worship Leader (2008)

• Speaker, Men's Retreat (2008)

During this same time, I received offers to play piano/keyboard with:

• Carlos Santana

2010 – 2011 Vineyard of Grace Fellowship Ft. Worth, TX

• Part-time Worship pianist

2011 – Present Various Fellowships and Sites Continental U.S.

• Business travel as a Contract Engineer presenting few options for musical

involvement, although some opportunities to play occurred, which I took