Performers

Alan, Alex G, Bill M, BillMc, Bill V, Bob B, Chico, Chris, Chuck, Clem, Craig, Cynthia, Dave B, Dave L, Del, Diana, Eileen, Ernie, Franco, Frank, Gary C, Gary D, Gary K, Gloria, Hammer, Hermann, James, James G, Janet, Jannie, Jerry, Joseph H, Joe W, John P, John V, Judy, Julio, Kees, Ken, Kieth, Laura, Lynn, Marcelo, Mark, Mike C,Mike S, Neal, Patrica H, Patrica J, Patrick, Pauline, Peter, Richard H, Rocco, Ron, Spike, Steve, Sunny, Susie, Ton, Torben, Vince, Warren

Musical Background

(21 January 2011) My first instrument was the accordion and I started when I was 7. I continued with that instrument until age 13 when I was enrolled in a school where they had a Glee Club and the music director said I should study voice. So I enrolled in the Conservatory of Music where they had a special program for students who had not yet graduated High School, saving credits earned towards a Bachelor's Degree.

While I was studying voice, I had trouble finding accompanists to study my music. Since I had learned to read music, I "taught myself" to play the piano and the organ, (I used to sneak into the school's chapel to practice in my spare time), and from there I took the next step to playing and singing at the same time.

Here are two photos Diana took from her balcony, the first showing surise and the second showing sunset. I thought you'd find them interesting! - Joe Waters

At 15 a Lutheran church nearby bought an organ but they had no organist. I was their organist for 15 years. I also did weddings, funerals and religious services in general for all other denominations. I also played for school graduations. At the same time I played the piano for several university choirs.

After that I worked for 10 years as organist of a Union church, and now I'm the rehearsal pianist for a local choir called Coro Sinfónico and, since they mostly produce Baroque music, I play the harpsichord in their ad hoc orchestra. I prefer singing with an accompanist.

I came to play a Yamaha PSR-S900 keyboard because I inherited an old Casio from my father and began orchestrating and recording songs. However, I live right next to the ocean and the humidity affected the keyboard and I had to buy a new one. I chose the Yamaha PSR-S900 because it had the recording capabilities and seemed light enough to schlepp to gigs (not so!). The thing I like best about this keyboard (before the Casio I owned a DW-8000 Korg synthesizer) is that I can record voice and accompaniment directly into a flash drive which is the next best thing to buying time at a recording studio!

End of story!
Diana Villafañe