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 recitalDuring 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 pianist1981 - 1983 United Pentecostal Church Bellevue, WA • full time Worship pianist • Piano accompaniment - Choir • Piano accompaniment – Solo Voice and Instrumental worshipDuring this same time, I received offers to play piano/keyboard with: • The Steve Miller Band1985 United Pentecostal Church Long Beach, CA • parttime attendance only1987 – 1992 Calvary Apostolic Fellowship Garden Grove, CA • full time Worship pianist • Piano accompaniment – Solo Voice and Instrumental worship • Piano accompaniment - ChoirDuring 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 Espinoza1994 – 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 CareyDuring 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 participant1999 – 2000 Vineyard Christian Fellowship Gresham, OR • full time attendance • Home group participant • Alpha program graduate; played keyboard at final meeting's dinner2001 – 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 LeaderDuring 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 keyboard2007 – 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 Santana2010 – 2011 Vineyard of Grace Fellowship Ft. Worth, TX • Part-time Worship pianist2011 – 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