Okay, so what on earth am I supposed to tell you?! Well, let's start out with this:

I grew up in Pennsylvania, where I remember winters being very snowy! I always loved music, especially the piano. I loved writing music, and always wanted to be a pianist and songwriter. I played LOTS and LOTS of piano, and started lessons in 1st grade. Then I started playing the trumpet in fifth grade at my elementary school.

All the way through high school, I kept on working very hard at my piano and trumpet skills, then in high school was given the chance to be a part of a Steel Drum Band! Yes, that was really cool! I guess you could say this was where I got my first love for islands and island music!

I was also fascinated by synthesizers and keyboards, and the fact that you could make any sound you wanted to with these instruments. This meant that if you learned the piano, you really could make it 'sound' like you could play ANYTHING because of the keyboard sounds! Click on this link to hear an example of what you can do on a good keyboard. EVERY instrument on this recording is me (on the keyboard), even the drums and electric guitar! This is what you can do just by learning the piano!

Angels We Have Heard on High!

I first came to Virginia to attend James Madison University as a Music Education major. My major instruments were trumpet and piano, with an emphasis on jazz music. I marched for 3 years in the JMU Marching Royal Dukes, and even got to play a trumpet solo with that 350 member marching band in the HoosierDome in Indiana! That was VERY fun!

The best part of coming to Virginia was that I met my wife-to-be, Mrs. Souders (she wasn't called that when we met!) while we were performing in shows at King's Dominion. She is my best friend and I love her more than anything! We got married and have had four beautiful children since then.

I was a minister of music for 9 years, and enjoyed that very much. But God had other plans for me, and He brought my wife and I to Chester to discover just what that plan was! I have taught all sorts of lessons and at all sorts of schools, from the Governor's School of Performing Arts in Norfolk, to the Governor's School over in Petersburg. I taught the High School and Middle School choruses last year, and now am loving being at Tussing Elementary full time.

I still love playing music, making CD's (like "The Santa Pokie") with Mrs. Souders, who is an incredible singer. I like to write songs, and write music for the orchestra at Colonial Heights Baptist Church. My biggest passion is my family, and I love our military for keeping us free and safe. My wife and I both LOVE the islands, sand, palm trees and CLEAR BLUE water!!

CLICK HERE to go to the "blog" where you can post thoughts or ask questions!

FAMILY