>>>My mom raised us on classical, western (before there was country:)), Latin, and popular music. I took up piano when I was 6 and guitar at age 10. My public piano debut was at age 9, with Richard Stoltzman, who played clarinet. Richard and I were neighbors and in the same class through elementary and junior high school in San Francisco. Richard is one of the finest clarinetist in the world. We got together a few years ago and had an enjoyable conversation.
>>>
>>>The guitar is an interesting instrument, and I ended up playing several different styles. Classical and Flamenco seemed to be at the top of the list, and I took Master's Classes from Andres Segovia at UC Berkeley, the summer of 1963. At the same time I was very involved with flamenco, which I did not tell Segovia, as I was concerned for what he might say.
>>>
>>>While in the Air Force, I won the Air Force Talent contest playing flamenco guitar. I also got to play for well known flamenco dancers, in many concert halls, and night clubs, as well as solo engagements.
>>>
>>>My wife Enriqueta (Katy), and I met in 1963. Katy is from Peru, and her family is from Zaragoza, Spain. She is trained in flamenco dance, and thought it was interesting that an American had an interest in flamenco. We have been married for 51 years.
>>>
>>>I thought it would be interesting to take up a few more musical instruments, which I have done over the years. I have added a dozen different instruments to my list, and taught our son and daughter many of them.
>>>
>>>I could have become a professional musician, but loved electronics too much. I decided to go into electronics engineering, as I hate to travel, and while playing my guitar, I traveled a lot! When electronics manufacturing left Silicon Valley in 1990, out of self defense, I went into programming to support my family. I had been using dBase since 1981, to create programs to help my department, FoxPro, and many others as well.
>>>
>>>So here I am retired and enjoying every minute! No dead lines, 2 AM telephone calls, or pressure to get the product out the door. I had a lot of fun using 13 different programming languages, meeting lots of great people, and creating friends on the Universal Thread. Visual FoxPro was such an important tool for me. C# was another tool I enjoyed using.
>>>
>>>I use TablEdit to create my music arrangements, and have created over 2500 pieces of music. Music has been good to me as it allows me to migrate to another world, and relax. At this time I am getting involved with the electric guitar and playing the Blues, as well as other forms of music with different instruments.
>>>
>>>I have attached two MP3's of recordings I have made. Chopin Opus 28 #7, and a flamenco piece called Soleares. Soleares is called "The Mother of Flamenco". There are about 50 different types of flamenco music by the way.
>>>
>>>Tom
>>
>>As this is my first login on this site, I was afraid I was going to find a messy thread resurrected from the dreaded Chatter/Politics section. Instead I found your message. Thank you, Tom for sharing your story and your music! I enjoyed both very much.
>>Years ago, my daughter one day came home from elementary school and said that she wanted to start playing flute, so we had to buy one. I remember that it was a pretty expensive item for us at that time, but she took it seriously, and the music that filled our house for years later was so much worth it. She also took voice lessons since then; she sings in a jazz band. She's in college now, studying to become an engineer, but music is very much part of her life and I'm sure she'll enjoy it for ever. I am more than happy that my wife and I made the investment in the flute we bought years ago.
>>Since you mentioned Segovia, I just watched him on YouTube playing Asturias beautifully when he was in his eighties. Tom, I wish you a long and happy retirement!
>>
>>Sorin
>
>Good afternoon Sorin.
>
>When our daughter Cristina was 6, I had bought all family members harmonicas. I purchased a very simple one for Cristina, and taught her some "beer drinking songs" from Germany. I was also teaching her classical piano. One day she came home all excited. "Daddy, daddy, guess what? Today was show and tell so I brought my harmonica to school and played the songs you taught me"! Cristina's teacher was from Poland, and gave me the funniest looks for a long time! :)
>
>At age eight Cristina decided that she wanted to play the Flute. I taught her all I could and then had a Flute teacher help her. Cristina then joined the San Jose Children's Symphony, and I took videos of her and the other children performing, and made DVD's for the family.
>
>I have many professional musicians in my family, and trace them back for five generations.
>
>Tom

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the funny story :) I am from a town in the Transylvania (aka Siebenbürgen), and I've heard more than a few beer drinking songs while growing up, so I know what they sound like. I had tunes in my head that took a long time to forget :) No wonder the teacher's reaction.
Music is a gift for both the performer and for the audience. I have great memories from my daughter's concerts. And the DVDs, too :)
Congratulations to your daughter Cristina for her talent.

Sorin