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Born New Rochelle, N.Y., 1960, of mostly German Jewish ancestry. B.A., English, New York University, 1988. M.A., ethnomusicology, Brown University, 1998. I spent many years in the School of Hard Knocks, gigging around NYC and touring the East Coast with different bands while working various day jobs, mostly in the publishing industry. I finally became a full-time musician and music teacher in 2003. Moved to Arnaudville, La., in 2007, and married Yvonne Olivier in 2008.
As a performer, I currently play mostly Cajun fiddle. I've performed with Jesse Lege, Sheryl Cormier, Ray Landry, August Broussard, Aaron Chesson, and many others. Why would a guy from New York play Cajun music? Long story. I taught myself to play the fiddle in high school, developing a hard-edged style somewhere between bluegrass and rock. I sounded pretty close to Cajun music even before I first saw Beausoleil in 1987.
As a teacher, I've given private lessons to hundreds of kids and adults. I currently teach fiddle, guitar, piano, and Cajun accordion. (I've also taught mandolin, 5-string banjo, tenor banjo, ukulele, bass guitar, and upright bass.) I'm also a part-time music teacher at Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, La., and have been Camp Director of Louisiana Folk Roots' Kids Camp since it was founded in 2008.
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