Instrument: Horn
Joined WSO: 2010
Hometown: Born in Kitimat BC but considers Vancouver home

Who was your idol growing up?
One of my idol’s is the late Jerome Ashby, former Associate Principal Horn of the New York Philharmonic, who was my teacher for grad. school at Juilliard. The only African American in the orchestra, he was a great horn player, musician and person and an inspirational role model to many. He would unknowingly drop a passing remark in a lesson or on his way between Juilliard and the stage door of Avery Fisher Hall, and it would end up to be a pearl of wisdom. Now, almost 2 decades later I’ll be in the middle of playing some passage or contemplating some huge career decision and I’ll think to myself “Oh, I finally understand what he meant by that!”

What is your favourite piece to play?
My favorite piece to play right now is a tune I made up for my son so he can eventually learn how to spell and say his name. So far he sways, claps his hands, giggles and babbles when I play or sing it. Sometimes he gets so excited he stands up, falls over or waves his hands over his head.  I wish I could have this effect on all audience and audition committee members all the time.

What is one of your most memorable live performances?
I have been a part of so many wonderful performances over the years it’s hard to pick out the most memorable ones. The most interesting “concerts” I’ve played were for 2 orangutans @ the Honolulu Zoo, Rusti and Violet. I got inspiration to get involved from WSO member Ken MacDonald, who travelled to Borneo and played for orangutans in the wild. My friends and I used to play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” on our horns in F at each session, hoping they’d learn it. Some orangutans have IQ’s the equivalent of a 5 year old human. Rusti usually destroys instruments if allowed to handle them. But a trainer used to hold up a toy piano outside his cage and Rusti played it with his tongue. Violet once helped me turn my page by poking a stick through the cage wires. They both used to imitate our postures and buzz their lips when they saw us approaching.

What are some of your hobbies?
I used to do Tahitian dancing and outrigger canoeing. But now my hobbies consist of trying to keep one step ahead of my young son (who just started walking) and my old jack russell terrier (who is less than enthusiastic about this new pack member with higher status).