About Me


"Use what talents you have; the woods would have little music if no birds sang their song except those who sang best."

                                                                          – Reverend Oliver G. Wilson

Eric image

I have been Associate Principal Trombone of the Honolulu Symphony since 1996 and am interim Principal Trombone for the 2007-08 season. I am also on faculty at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. Originally from Prince Edward Island (Canada), my career began in the Maritime Provinces performing with Symphony Nova Scotia, the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, the Northumberland Brass and the PEI Trombone Mafia.

Prior to my appointment in Honolulu, I was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Millar Brass Ensemble. As a freelance musician I have recorded jingles for radio and television and performed with numerous ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Orchestra and Klang. I have performed under the direction of such noted conductors as Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Riccardo Chailly, Christoph Eschenbach and Pierre Boulez.

Throughout my career, I have enjoyed being active as a soloist and have given countless recitals in Canada and the United States. I have performed the concertos of Albrechtsberger, Grondahl, and Tomasi, and in 1992 won the second prize at Canada’s CIBC National Music Festival. As a member of the Grammy-nominated Honolulu Symphony Pops, I have particularly enjoyed my performances with Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers, John Denver, Dianne Reeves, Lou Rawls and Toto.

My interest in education is constantly growing and expanding. While my focus has mostly been on teaching teenagers, I have had students ranging in age from nine years through university. I have taught trombone privately since 1989, and spent seven years as the Low Brass Instructor at the University of New Brunswick Music Camp. I also have experience teaching trumpet and tuba, and enjoy coaching chamber music and brass sections in student bands and orchestras.

I received my Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Prince Edward Island and my Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. My primary private study was with Jay Friedman, Greg Irvine and Frank Crisafulli, although my influences have also included Arnold Jacobs, Michael Mulcahy, Peter Sullivan, Murray Crewe and Greg Burton.

In December 2006, after an 18-month leave of absence from the Honolulu Symphony, I received a Diploma in Massage Therapy (with Honors) from the Atlantic College of Therapeutic Massage in New Brunswick, Canada. My main areas of clinical interest include athletic therapy, headaches, chronic pain and care for patients with cancer. I am also gaining a reputation as a specialist in the treatment of overuse injuries among musicians. I am licensed in the state of Hawaii and am available for treatments. For more information, please go to www.lonepalmmassage.com.

In my spare time, I can generally be found on my favourite hiking trails.


Equipment

I am so NOT a gear head, whether it's my bike, my computer or my trombone. But seeing as some people like to know these kinds of things . . .

All I can really say about this stuff is that I LOVE my tenor setup. I realize I haven't played as many trombones as a lot of people have, but I've never played anything that allowed me to cover the range of colors and dynamics that this trombone does. I'm not as vocally enthusiastic about my alto, although I don't have anything bad to say about it at all. It doesn't get in my way.

As far as my mouthpiece is concerned, I played on the same Bach 5G from high school until just a few years ago. I tried all kinds, every few years embarking on a Quest for the Better Mouthpiece because that's what I thought brass players did. I never found anything better than my Bach until I tried a friend's Greg Black 5G. I loved it immediately and eventually bought the 4.5G. Whatever. . .

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