Bio:
I’ve had a pretty varied background. I’m a native of Massachusetts. I grew up in Grafton, MA in the 50’s when it was still a very rural area—that’s no longer the case. In looking back, I had a pretty idyllic childhood—a solid family life, fields, trees, boyhood adventures, etc.
My primary focus from the age of about 10 was to become a musician. And that’s what I did. I received my degrees in musical composition (Bachelor of Music and Master of Music with Honors) from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
To help pay the bills while in college, I worked in an aircraft plant during the summers, played in lounges, and had a very brief stint driving taxis (too scary an occupation for me at that time!).
Classical music was my profession for 34 years—as a composer, pianist, and teacher. I’ve had performances of my works in the U.S. and Canada and taught hundreds of students.
Then in 1990 my life took an unexpected direction. I encountered Christian Science for the first time. It was so very different from any other religion or philosophy that I had followed—and I had tried quite a few, one in particular for a 20 year period. I bought the primary work by Mary Baker Eddy (the 19th Century woman who founded Christian Science) Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures and began giving it serious consideration. I have to say that in my case some of the concepts rang true immediately, while other involved a substantial intellectual “wrestling.”
But the thing that immediately spoke to me was that as I thought about these ideas—ideas that are available to anyone—I saw healings of some physical ailments that I had since childhood. That was pretty impressive! I also noticed that at the same time my life, my behavior, my professional and personal activities and relationships began to significantly improve.
I continued to think about Christian Science and use it for my health care. In 1992 I decided to become a member of the church. That same year I took a course in Christian Science healing. And 14 years later—after first having felt the confidence to responsibly heal not only myself and family, but others—I left my career as a professional musician to become a professional Christian Science practitioner.
In 2008 I was appointed by my church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, to be the representative for Massachusetts in the media and in government lawmaking. And, here we are today!