I live in Dallas, Texas, and have been playing the ukulele since May of 2006. I began learning on a Mango Flea, but now I primarily play a William King concert (Vintage Series). I studied piano, violin and viola as a kid, but it wasn't until I picked up the ukulele that I realized music can be PLAY instead of WORK. Learning the ukulele has been like finding a key to a door I didn't know was inside of me. Just goes to show you that no matter how old you are, there are still a few surprises left inside. There will always be more ways to grow, and more joys to be revealed. And along with the self-discovery comes the joy of getting to know the wonderful community of fellow ukulele players, through sites such as this one. As for the music I play, I lean heavily toward the jazz and popular songs of the 1920s, 30s and 40s, as well as vaudeville and movie music of the era. I also try some original songs occasionally. Favorite performers include Al Jolson, Cliff Edwards, The Boswell Sisters, The Mills Brothers, Al Bowlly, The Andrews Sisters, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Marvin, Bobby Breen, Baby Rose Marie and Rudy Vallee. Favorite composers of the past: Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Harry Warren, Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn and Irving Berlin. Favorite contemporary composers: Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Nick Lowe and Stephen Sondheim. As for my day job, I am a professional computer animator, working mainly in the entertainment industry.