Inspiration as a musician: My spiritual life

Favorite orchestral work: Almost anything by Mahler

Favorite things to do in Cincinnati: Kayaking and walking in our parks

Favorite food: Saag Paneer

Hobbies: Reading, kayaking, hiking and working outdoors

Fun fact: I always wanted to be a firefighter.

How can the Orchestra make the world a better place? Plain and simple—by bringing great music to people!

Funniest concert memory: I think my funniest concert memory was when I was playing in the New World Symphony. The timpanist, who was directly in front of the percussion section, was sitting on an old, portable timpani stool, the longevity of which he was very proud. During one of our concerts, two or three rivets in the stool broke simultaneously, sending the poor fellow to the floor behind his drums. As he struggled to his feet, with bent glasses and a very surprised look on his face, we in the percussion section immediately dropped behind whatever instruments we could use for cover, as tears rolled down our faces and we gasped for air from laughing...

Where is the strangest place that you've ever practiced? Percussionists often end up practicing in whatever space they can find. Before Music Hall was renovated, we often found ourselves practicing in the opera department's wardrobe storage room. Admiring all of the beautiful costumes and seeing just how many pairs of shoes they need to have on hand, certainly cut the boredom when practicing warmup exercises!