Oh, where to begin? I grew up on a farm in Rhode Island--that seems to surprise people. It was a real, working farm, too (mostly a hobby farm--my dad's hobby) and we had some livestock, a garden, and plenty of fields and forests. My first love was music, and we're still happily 'married' to this day. I went to music school in Baltimore where I studied composition, conducting, percussion and viola. I've performed with and conducted symphony orchestras in the US, Russia and Argentina. It's a pretty good way to live.
I lived in NYC for 6 years, from 2007-2013. It was an amazing experience and I hope to get back one day, sooner rather than later. In the meantime I am living in southwest Florida, dealing with some family matters. Florida is an.....interesting place to live...but I've managed to find some musical opportunities and have really enjoyed the beautiful weather and great beaches. I've also taken up a hobby: aquariums!
I love traveling and have been to some wonderful places, though I still have a long list of trips I'd like to take. Some highlights include spending 10 days in Moscow, 2 weeks in Mendoza, Argentina, and a 2 week tour of Europe including stops in Prague and Budapest.
I am passionate about people, especially people with different experiences: those who are from other countries, and from whom I can learn and grow.
I've been described as a nice guy and, on a few occasions, a good man. As far as I'm concerned, this is pretty much the highest compliment one can receive. I believe in the goodness of people, in being kind, sincere and thoughtful. I enjoy telling and listening to stories, and in finding the types of people who can help write new ones. In some ways I'm idealistic, in others downright Quixotic--I try not to be boring, or bored.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm working on moving back to New York City and will be making at least a few trips up there in the next couple of months. I love meeting new people and having great experiences, so this seems like a really great way to travel, make new friends and get new material for my memoirs. Don't worry--names will be changed to protect the guilty...er, I mean innocent.

Interests

Music, literature, museums, traveling, cooking, aquariums.

• literature
• cooking
• gardening
• traveling
• music
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Classical music, especially the Austro-Germanic symphonists, Soviet composers, mid-century Americans and post-Romantic French.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Conducted Beethoven's 9th symphony. It was scary and exhilarating all at once!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can definitely teach you about music. Actually, it's bound to happen whether you like it or not--so ask a question at your own risk! Ha :). I still have some knowledge from my days on the farm, so I can talk about rabbit breeding, chicken egg collection schedules and the best ways to hand feed a cow.
I've recently learned a lot about marine life and keeping saltwater aquariums, so I'd be happy to teach a little about that.
And I'm always, ALWAYS eager to learn new things! I'm likely to take a genuine (and persistent) interest in whatever you're passionate about, so be prepared for lots of questions.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm good company--polite, clean, tidy, a non-smoker, and respectful. I am also a pretty good cook and a decent conversationalist.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Hungary, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovakia