FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been a church pianist and member of a praise band. I play traditional and contemporary music, as well as popular songs and classical music. I started lessons when I was 9 years old. Later on, I took some college courses in classical music and hymn playing. I taught myself how to play from chord sheets, and also how to play songs by ear.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I began playing the piano for my church in 2011, and joined the praise band in 2012. I currently play every Sunday at a nursing home for their Sunday morning worship service.
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I know quite a bit of Christmas music, and there weren't enough opportunities to play most of it, so I put a playlist together and took it to the nursing home to play during the lunch hour once every week in December, 2015. Last Christmas, I was asked to play for a soloist and the band at church. At the first practice, I found out I had been given the wrong song title! The song they wanted was one that I had never heard before. I asked the director to play it for me, while the band was figuring out their chords. I saw that we really needed some help! I asked the director if he could get us some chord sheets. Then the band leader said that this song was mostly piano, and he needed me to give them a strong introduction. Talk about pressure! I had only heard it about three times, but was able to play the song by ear, and sight read the chords well enough to accompany the band. In an hour, we had learned the song well enough to put it on the schedule for the next week.