FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Yes & no. Every engagement presents it's own, unique issues that affect pricing. I need to charge more on weekends vs weeknights. I need more if I'm driving 130 miles round trip vs a venue 1/2 block farther down my street. (i'm doing that currently). I'lm always expecting to learn 1, sometime 2, special requests. It happens occasionally a client presents a laundry list of music. Fine, I have the skills but now you're talking 5-10 more hours work to prepare. I need to charge more, obviously. I'm always willing to quote a reduced fee if a venue has a grand piano available. Taking away 45-hour set up/tear down, requiring heavy lifting, is an important consideration. Lastly, if the event is on a 2nd or 3rd floor, including steps, likewise another factor to consider before determining a quote. Still, I always calculate a quote that I feel is fair to both parties. There's a question where clients state their budget boundaries & it would be easiest to simply use their high point. I do not. Stated above, I consider all factors & determine a fee both parties feel is fair. Truthfully, bring fair almost always results in a nice tip. End of the day, tip usually takes it to their high point but that's a call the client makes. I'm always grateful but never expect more. My quote is my bond. That also applies to the event itself. I've known many of my peers to cancel an engagement last minute using a flimsy excuse so they can do the job down the road for $100.00 more. If I book & sign contracts it's a firm commitment. My integrity has been a major factor allowing my longevity in this business.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Establish person to person communication ASAP. Time is essential to prepare special requests, contact banquet managers, establish precisely the client's vision for their event, sign contracts, etc. Once I am confident I can run things musically, MC if needed, I am able to assure the client that aspect is covered & they can move on to other issues. I strive to take that pressure away as it's a complicated undertaking organizing an event.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
BS Music Education Wilkes University MA Music Education Marywood University PhD Music Education/Jazz Performance University of Miami Taught elementary, middle & high school plus taught undergraduate Theory. Applied Piano, Music History, Arranging & Elementary Methods 47 years professional entertainer opening for acts including CSN & Y, Dwayne Almond Band, Little Feat, Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Bob Weir/Rob Wasserman & Foreigner As cruise ship pianist I've backed John Pizzarelli & currently do a private Hammond Organ jam with Tony Monaco when he's not touring. Years backing name acts at Caesar's Pocono Resorts as well as touring both domestically & abroad. The interaction with the many different musical styles taught me the essence of such to the degree I feel equally comfortable playing jazz, country or classical thus affording me the skills to accommodate the spectrum of genera requested by various clients.