Music You Might Be Surprised I Like
Old-school hip-hop on 93.9
Music I Can’t Stand
Elevator music
Always Cool 
Kindness, classical music, and beer.
Never Cool
The person in front of you on a plane who abruptly leans their seat back. Boom! Just happened to me and NOT COOL, Mrs. Smithinconsiderate.
Favorite Trip
South America with the Philadelphia Orchestra, 2003.
Worst Trip
Japan, 2013. I got deported. Long story; I made the gig in Matsumoto, though.
Moment of Triumph
Sibelius concerto at Interlochen, 1995. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.
Complete Fail
Wieniawski second violin
concerto, 2010.
Subjects I Can’t Stop Talking About Lately
Classical music, NBA (always), Russia (what’s the story there?), and ISO.
Subjects I Avoid
Politics, religion, and Russia (ha).
Style Trend I Love 
Brooklyn hipster, prep (polo dude never goes out of style), obnoxious golf attire.
Style Trend I Can’t Stand
Those Affliction T-shirts and skull stuff, I don’t really understand. Goth never attracted me much, either.
Always Up For
Good times with people I care about, movies, food, music, golf, pool, and any other competitive game.
Never Up For
Practicing the violin, although once I get started I can’t stop. Getting the thing out of the case is the hardest part.
This article appeared in The Ticket
, a 2015 special publication.
