NEW ARRIVAL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL DIODATO

Tell us a little about each city you lived in. What was your favorite thing about each?

I’ve lived in Cape Town, Athens, London, Chicago and now Columbus. The beauty of Cape Town takes your breath away – nothing like the sight of clouds spilling down the sides of Table Mountain or watching baby baboons do acrobatics on the side mirrors of your car. Athens is steeped in mythology – its heritage is unparalleled and one can’t help but be awed by the history that’s been written there. London is my favorite city for walking – you can get pretty much anywhere on foot. Of course, it’s also the best place to get a cup of tea. Chicago excels at snow removal and could give Columbus pointers.

In what areas does Columbus excel?

Columbus offers culture at your fingertips. So many great things are so accessible. Franklin Park Conservatory, concerts, COSI, Broadway shows, the charm of German Village, the edgy vibe of the Short North. Columbus has a great deal to give without the hassles of bigger cities.

While many Columbusites complain, I enjoy the weather. After Chicago, Columbus feels like Florida. Favorite restaurant – Rigsby’s. Cocktails – Details. Shopping – Grandview Mercantile. And I love going to the Franklin Park Conservatory – it’s magical! My daughter loves the butterflies and my son loves the model railroad.

At what age did you start composing music? Any early memories?

I was 10 when I composed my first piece. And I still remember the first time I played in a recording studio. It was overwhelming. I was shaking, so I excused myself and went to the restroom to pull myself together. When I came back, the technician had dimmed the lights and lit a candelabra. I had to laugh – which helped me relax.

How have each of the cities you’ve lived in influenced your music?

Cape Town is a melting pot and its music reflects that. Cape Town gave me the sense that any combination of sounds is possible and encouraged me to make my own rules. Also, I used to visit my grandparents frequently and would play my uncle’s old organ, which made incredible sounds. For hours, I would experiment with different effects. How my grandparents put up with it, I honestly don’t know.

I fell in love with Greek mythology in Athens. There was a tree in our backyard that I used to climb and, from the top branches, I could see Mount Olympus in the distance. It brought the stories home to me. Now I look to mythology for inspiration when composing.

I started composing when I was living in London. My school’s curriculum incorporated a lot of music and the teachers were very encouraging. The students, too, were very supportive. We would play for one another and accompany each other with different instruments. It was a very creative environment. At the same time, it was also very strict and in winter, we couldn’t wear coats – we wore cloaks.

I attended college outside Chicago. I didn’t study music but I used to go to the practice rooms and play for stress relief. After graduating, I enrolled in a graduate program and moved into an apartment with a friend who was also a pianist. We bought a used upright and would play duets late at night. The soundproofing in our building was lacking and our neighbors hated us.

Who are/were your music influences?

My early influences were classical composers: Frédéric Chopin, Felix Mendelssohn and Bedrich Smetana. But my passion for musical storytelling came from singer-songwriters like Joan Baez, Chris de Burgh and Janis Ian as well as Broadway composers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Claude-Michel Schönberg. Likewise, I am inspired by film composers like Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, for whom I’d write music any day. They produced beautiful films – profound yet restrained storytelling and exquisite imagery.

Your favorite piece to play?

It depends on the audience and the environment. A dramatic piece like The Ice Maiden is well suited to a larger venue, while a contemplative piece such as Waltz for Gerda & Kay is better conveyed in an intimate setting.

How do you find themes for your music? How do you compose?

I am inspired by timeless narratives – stories found in mythology (not just Greek but also Norse and Celtic) as well as fables and fairy tales. I compose by ear. Several years ago I bought my dream piano, a 1925 Steinway Model L. I’ve composed my best pieces on it.

Any advice for aspiring composers?

Composing the music is just the beginning. Learn to be your own marketer. Find creative ways to reach your audience.

What is in the future for you?

I hope to have enough material for another album within the next year. I also plan to produce another music video. I would love to compose for a film.

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