BACKGROUND I retired from Comerica Bank as a UNIX Administrator in 2014.   Prior to that I had over 25 years in programming.   I have a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Science in Mathematics from Michigan State University.   I have been involved in music nearly all of my life.   When I was two I remember playing a 78 rpm record on my record player ... it was Chopin's Minute Waltz.   When I was five I told my father that I wanted to play violin.   So, as any good parent would, he waited until I was eight, procured a piano, handed me a book and told me to learn to play it!   Finally, when I was in fifth grade, I got my chance to play violin.   I actually was quite good ... when I was in High School my violin teacher (who was in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra) told me he could get me into the second violins after I graduated.   But I wanted to go to college.   It was there that I bought a broken down guitar for $5.   A friend showed me some finger picking and I taught myself the rest. INTERESTS In addition to playing violin (rarely now) and guitar (every day) and composing (mainly for guitar) I have many other interests.   I am an avid bird watcher with a U.S life list of over 500 species.   I play tournament bridge and have attained Diamond Life Master status ... including two National Championships!   I enjoy the arts, plays, movies and watching sports.  And, of course, I programmed both this site and my wife's.