Today I’d like to give a special shout out to Bruce & Holly – the two people that brought me into this world.
Today marks their 42nd wedding anniversary. Not only have they managed to stay married that long, they’ve managed to stay married that long after having had a ridiculously ’80s wedding… The brown tuxes, wow. The 1980s really were a very special time.
I digress. My mother was a teacher (now retired). My father, although not a teacher himself, has a sister that was. My parents met after having been set-up by Aunt Chris, as she and my mother were teaching at the same school in Milwaukee, decades ago.
Teaching is a family affair. I didn’t set out to be an instructor. But, very early on I found I had the patience for it, along with the musical knowledge and ability.
Private instruction started as a summer gig – something to help make ends meet, when I was home from college. Then, in latter years at Valparaiso University, I was teaching area high school students there in Indiana during the school year.
Ultimately I continued teaching when I returned home to Wisconsin. As I was performing in front of people more, particularly on piano, I’d get more business – so to speak. I’ve been a private instructor ever since.
Today I wanted to celebrate the special wedding anniversary, and also recognize the teachers in my family who helped inspire much of what I do.