COMPOSER, PIANIST, RECORDING ARTIST
MUSIC THERAPY MEETS AESTHETIC HEALING through Denise’s recent recording release, “Something You Dream Of…”, produced by Will Ackerman, Founder of Windham Hill and Grammy Award Winning artist. Throughout her life as a songwriter, pianist, music therapist, and instructor, her determination and a bit of synchronicity has led her toward the right road. In January of 2006, she sent her demo CD to Will at Imaginary Road Studios, and received the answer that brought her dream closer into focus. Will became her producer, and for the months prior to the studio recording at Imaginary Road Studios (beginning on September 1st, 2006) Will provided guidance and inspiration for Denise, expanding her expression through her instrument, the piano. She is very grateful to say that Will and his guitar are beautifully present on track 3, Green Mountain Meadows, track 9, Why, and track 10, West River of the new CD. Other celebrated artists are Eugene Friesen, Grammy Award winning cellist, Jill Haley on English horn, Derrik Jordan, percussionist, Steve Schuch on violin, David Weiss on clarinet, Noah Wilding, vocalist, T-Bone Wolk on bass, and Imaginary Road’s Grammy Award winning engineer, Corin Nelsen who mixed and mastered, completing the music portion of the project in early 2007. More about each artist can be seen on the NEWS/JOURNAL PAGE.
For a little about me...My first experiences at the piano when I was just a baby with my father, a self-taught stride pianist. (He is at the piano with me on the photo gallery page of my website.) That initial spark of fascination for the piano opened the way to an intrinsic musical presence that I cherish. At about the age of four, I was playing songs by ear; at five, I began studying privately and performed, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at my first recital. From there I studied a variety of musical styles, including classical, all of which later influenced my song writing. Music became a natural way of expression for me and I wrote my first song at the age of fourteen on my Wurlitzer spinet. From “Hey Jude” to the spirit of the classical masters, feelings, experiences, and nature, a light of inspiration brings life to songs and compositions, rooting me into the musical soil. Though my roots stretch across the country, into Missouri and into Northern California, I relocated to Los Angeles in 2002 to pursue goals and dreams, and to be near the ocean.
In addition to writing, performing music, and teaching, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy from Maryville University, St. Louis. Over the years, I have applied music therapy techniques to cases of autism, speech, stress, and physical impairments, as well as the use of music for relaxation and meditation. As part of my music therapy altruism, I have played for children in schools, patients in hospital settings, group homes, and client homes. I have seen several breakthroughs through music alone and when used with other therapies, such as speech, physical, and psychological.
Though I consider my years of playing for patients in hospital settings, group homes and client homes to be music therapy and musical healing sessions, I have performed my compositions in performance venues such as: Borders Books & Music Stores; Radio KDHX-FM, Live Audience recording for “Focal Point’s” Food for the Hungry, St. Louis, one of several recordings from that station. The Grandel Ballroom “Suite 16” CD Release Concert 2001, St. Louis; Composed music for “Soundisctributors” a St. Louis retail company’s training video. Other Personal Appearances - Generations Concert Theater, St. Louis; Coffee with the Stars, St. Louis; The Wildflower Restaurant, St. Louis; Glen Oak Church, St. Peters; Ericcson’s Restaurant on the Pier, California; Landsdowne Arms Restaurant and Hotel, Kenmare, Ireland--and various churches and private parties throughout California and Missouri. I have also played in many music therapy settings, such as hospitals, group homes, and client homes.
There are always a few musical goals my list, including one day being part of writing music for film, collaborating with or writing for a famous vocalist, and altruistic yearnings, such as charity events and benefiting others through her music. “My mission is to move and delight the world with my music to experience unconfiditional love. And since music has a miraculous ability to express, it can be very healing; emotionally, physically, and spiritually, whether you are the listener, the musician, or the vessel of its creation. And it’s a really wonderful feeling when people tell me that they enjoy my music – it validates and tells me this is what I’m called to do!”
Excerpts from the Cutting Room Floor(!)
When my parents separated when I was five years old, I begged my father to leave the piano with me. In hopes that we would listen, I carved my name in the wood. Today, I still have the piano, a 1959 Wurlitzer Spinet. Though the sounds doesn’t stand up to my expectations now, especially compared to the Steinway B on which I recorded “Something You Dream Of…” – my old piano is so much a part of me and my musical life. As a child, I would often play for my mother and she would comment how her spirits were lifted. Sometimes I really think that piano helped to carry us through life’s struggles and to celebrate the happy moments.
Sometimes during grade school days, when the nun would leave the room, the kids would ask me to play the upright piano. One day, one of the nuns heard “boogie woogie” music down the hallway and when the she entered the room, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen...then the nun smiled at me and asked me to play for the upcoming 8th grade graduation ceremony for the entire school. I immediately accepted and the kids cheered! “Morning Has Broken” by Cat Stevens was played by me on the piano while the children sang.
Throughout a lot of my childhood and teenage years, I went to gigs with my father, observing, playing duets with him, and filling in during breaks. Though my dad and I performed together for years, we are of two really different styles.