Ever since I was a teenager I dreamed of becoming a great Classical composer. I would read books about Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Schumann, and others--and I wanted to be like them someday. I found inspiration in a passage from Rainer Maria Rilke's "Letters to a Young Poet": "your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse."

Since completing my Doctor of Music in Composition in 2015, I strive to balance an active professional schedule as composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher. Meanwhile I've been fortunate to travel the world making music, visiting such unique places as Novi Sad, Serbia; Aberystwyth, Wales, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; and Istanbul, Turkey. A recent highlight came in 2013 when one of my compositions was performed in New York's Carnegie Hall.

Another important milestone occurred two years ago when I discovered the Society for Humanistic Judaism. It offered a way to stay connected to the Jewish kinship, culture, and history that had been such a big part of my childhood, while deferring judgment on some of the more challenging aspects of Jewish tradition. It seemed to be exactly what I had been looking for--I became a member and now serve as Music Director at The Birmingham Temple Congregation for Humanistic Judaism in Farmington Hills, MI.

Since my childhood in Buffalo, New York, I've lived in New York; Chicago; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Bloomington, Indiana; and Louisville, Kentucky. I'm trying now to lay down roots in Michigan and look forward to this new chapter.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Perhaps Mozart's father in the 1984 film Amadeus was right when he said, "Composition doesn't pay!" I began my first a salaried job as a synagogue music director earlier this year, but am trying to save money right now in order to pay down my student loans. I have been staying for free with family in Buffalo recently and would like to try and continue to keep costs down as I begin this new chapter. I also enjoy traveling and meeting people from around the world.

Interests

• classical music
• history
• religion
• science
• progressive politics

Music, Movies, and Books

Brahms Symphony No. 2
Woody Allen's "Manhattan"
Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Climbed to the top of Masada

Teach, Learn, Share

I seem to know a lot of random things. I enjoy discussions on a wide range of topics and consider myself a pretty good conversation partner. Also a good listener--looking forward to learning from you.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Free music lessons! If you sing or play an instrument, I'm happy to offer some pointers. If you have a piano at home I'm also happy to perform for you and your guests.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Hungary, Israel, Mexico, Serbia, Turkey, United Kingdom