I recently completed this cover of "Jessica's Theme (Breaking in The Colt)" by Bruce Rowland from the movie "The Man From Snowy River" and put it on my YouTube channel. If you follow the link below in my signature to either my blog or my YouTube, you can check it out and let me know what you think. I would appreciate it!

Have any of you seen that movie, by the way? If not, you should! Even if you are not a fan of horses or old westerns, it is worth the watch simply for the music...the music is so pretty.

Now for this questionnaire...

How long have you been playing?

I have been playing piano since I was about...twelve? But I didn't start lessons until I was sixteen, so about 3 and a half years now. I am a music education major and chiefly play classical music on the piano, though I like to play any music varying from my favorite Broadway musicals or random covers of my favorite artist's music.

I started playing the penny whistle about three years ago for dance recitals, but I just recently started getting into Irish music and pursuing it on my own and learning more and more tunes.

I love playing Irish music and this last winter I picked up my father's ancient accordion and started playing it. I only really play Irish music on it, but the instrument is so perfectly suited for this genre. I get together with groups of Irish musicians and we play in what Irish musicians call "sessions" for hours at a time. It's so fun!

Have you performed in public?

Yes. I have always sung in choir growing up as well as played in violin recitals (when I took violin). I gave a senior piano/voice recital when I graduated from high school. That was my first experiencing performing on the piano since I didn't start lessons until high school. And then for college, I am required to perform on the piano solo for student recitals and studio class as well as sing...and I also accompany a children's choir.

I play my penny whistle and accordion for my dance school's Irish dance recitals, which is really fun and probably what I enjoy performing on the most. Performing on the piano is like going through a traumatic experience. I don't understand what is so nerve-racking about it. I don't get nervous performing while singing solo, dancing solo, or playing any other instrument...except on the piano.

Are there instruments you don't play that you would like to learn?

Yes! I really, really want to take up the Irish flute. Also, I think it would be cool to learn the mandolin as well as the guitar at some point. The Irish flute just has this beautiful, airy, rustic sound to it that I love...and I have a natural knack for the flute, which is weird. I kind of want to learn the guitar just because it's the kind of instrument people expect all musicians to know how to play. And then I like the mandolin because the fingering is just like playing a violin, which I played for several years when I was a child. The mandolin has such a cheery happy sound to it. My sister owns one and I've messed around with playing tunes on it and I even mastered some chords...would love to get lessons.

Do you write music or lyrics of your own?

I wish. Someday. I fully intend to, but right now I feel like I lack the capacity as well as the skill. I love making covers of songs, but as far as poetry and composing lyrics and music...nah. Not yet.

Heeey guys haven't been here in ages. I remember posting here like a couple of years ago when I just started learning to play the balalaika (a traditional Russian instrument). A lot of you guys probably don't know what it is, so here is a video of me playing on my graduation from music school this May