Debute with the Melodica

Thursday after teaching I said "Dad, let's try playing some of our jazz songs with the melodica". So we practiced for about 10 minutes and then decided to play at open mic night at our local Big Island Brewhouse (formerly Tako Taco). Our band name was "We just practiced for the first time 10 minutes ago". Korabushka (the Russian tune at the end) sort of took the house down. They loved it! Oh how I love having my parents visit!

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A Western Washington Music Education reunion

I haven't seen my fellow music major friend Kelli since our college days at Western 9 years ago. She used to love coming over to study at our house because Alex and I kept our indoor air temperature at a balmy 89 degrees in the winter thanks to a wood burning stove insert. Kelli grew up on Oahu and stopped by the Big Island with her husband during her visit home for X-mas! Thanks to facebook, we reconnect a few years ago and I surprised her by telling her I'VE lived in Hawaii for the past 8 years. Would that make me kama aina now? What's even more amazing and coincidental was that our two college professors Dr. and Dr. Rutschman were visiting the Big Island the same week Kelli was here. Unlike most professors, whom you will usually have for just one class for one quarter, the Rutschman's were our music professors all 5 years at Western! (4 years and one fall quarter for me to be exact!)

It was fun reminiscing and getting the inside scoop of all of our dear former professors still teaching away at Western. Kelli and I also put our college education to good use and recorded a duet together! Kelli is an amazingly talented pianist who pursued her career of musical theatre in Chicago!