Classically Trained

After a few of my last posts online about soundtracks and music, some of you have asked what my experience is in the musical area. I thought it would be best to describe it here then just refer people to read it this way, instead of trying to explain it individually.


I started playing the piano when I was in third grade. As I practiced playing each night, I'd look at the shadow box hanging over my piano which contained my great grandfather's old violin. I begged my parents to start violin lessons, and by fifth grade they let me. (On a cheap violin, not on my grandfather's. "Once you're good enough", my dad said, "Then we will fix it and you can play that one.")


I started the violin in school, and picked it up incredibly fast. So fast, that my elementary school teacher wanted to do a duet with me for my last concert in sixth grade.
In seventh and eighth grade, I was in a summer music conservatory, Strolling Strings, Honor Orchestra, and played in my school orchestra. All of these lasted two years, and it was a steady competition between me and two other friends for first chair in school the entire two years. I also had the privilege of doing Magic Music Days, where we got to play in Disneyland. (My first backstage experience, that I remember to this day!)

I started private lessons in sixth grade, and continued until about two years ago.

My freshman year in high school I was in my school orchestra, The Bakersfield Youth Symphony, Honor Orchestra, and Solo Ensemble (Where you play a solo with a piano accompaniment for a judge.)

Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year was the same routine. School, Youth Symphony, Honor, and Solo Ensemble.

My Junior year, I was offered a full scholarship to Cal State Long Beach for music performance. I decided to turn it down for several reasons, and looking back now, it was the right choice.

Throughout my musical career, I had the amazing privilege to work with one of the finest conductors in California, to perform with Barrage,  to play for several weddings, parties, and funerals, to coach and teach younger kids, and to meet some truly great people all around the world.

What now? I haven't played much since I've moved to Southern California, and I decided not to pursue a career in music. But this won't keep me from continuing my passion. I plan on joining an orchestra down the road, continue teaching on the side and playing for weddings/parties. And who knows, maybe some day down the road, I'll be conducting or writing music for something. It definitely crosses my mind pretty often.

Oh, and when was I "Good Enough" to play my great-grandfather's violin? That would be in eighth grade.

Twenty Ounces of Coffee

As I sit here drinking twenty ounces of a Starbucks mocha frap minus the whip cream, I figured I'd blog a few stories to keep those updated who live a distance away from me. So here comes the wonderful, caffeinated update.

Training at my new job is going really well. It's a ton of stuff to remember, and they use procedures I'm not quite used to, despite my past restaurant experience. But the people are nice and helpful, and by next week I should be opening by myself.
For those that don't know, my position is an opener. So I'm up at 4Am to get ready, and work from 5AM to either 10, or 1:30. I prefer this, because like today, I'm home by 10:30Am and ready to take on the rest of my day with coffee and soda by my side. Yeah, I'm in bed by 9 now, but I feel more productive throughout the day.

I'm really excited that my family will be coming down this Saturday to spend the day in Disneyland. I get to show them Buena Vista Street and Cars Land for the first time, along with Ghost Galaxy. Will I completely lose control and geek out? You betcha!

Things down here in the OC are going swell. I spend my free time in Disneyland, at the beach, Denny's with friends, or just wondering around town. Also hanging out with my bro or whoever else comes this way. There's so much to do, so much to see. Still really enjoying it, for the most part.

The fair started today. For those that don't know me- I grew up at the Kern County Fair. I raised sheep my whole life, and have entered countless exhibits. I haven't missed a fair in 15 years, and I don't plan to miss this one. Actually, I plan to take my girlfriend Danielle to the KCF and give her a tour. She has no idea what she's in for.

Other than that, this pretty much sums everything up for the moment. Oh, and I just finished my Starbucks. On to the soda I brought home from work!