I can't remember a time in my life when there wasn't music.

I started piano lessons certainly in grade school and was fortunate that my teacher was one of my best friend's grandmother so we had access to her two grand pianos almost any time we wanted to do duets.

I stopped piano in junior high school because I absolutely hated Little Bach Society. By then, however, I had discovered orchestra and opera music. (Incidentally, another friend and I wrote to the Bell Telephone Hour -- which had a TV show of orchestra music in the 50s -- to complain that they only showed the violins. After that -- and to this day -- all instruments are shown.)

A young Sue sings in the opera at Chautauqua

I was getting Opera News by the time I was twelve so listening to the Saturday Met broadcasts has also been a part of my life just about forever. If I'd have had my druthers I'd have been an opera singer. Second choice would have been a rehearsal pianist. In high school I joined the band as a color guard to keep up with my friends who were playing instruments. When it was suggested they needed a double bass player, I jumped at the chance -- and actually taught myself the positions on the four legs of a teddy bear. I really didn't get many lessons until much, much later.

As with almost every bass player, one becomes one because it is the last instrument left. Could I choose over I might prefer cello. It would certainly be easier to carry now.

I played bass with the Sandhills Symphony in North Platte NE, with the Berkeley CA Opera Theatre and for many years with the Warren PA Civic Orchestra where I also became their manager until moving north. I did a number of shows for the Warren summer theatre.  I took music classes for one semester at SUNY Fredonia and played in the student orchestra there. Doing Brahms' Requiem has to be one of the highlights. That remains one of my favorite pieces of music.

I really could never pick three but love the works of Mahler and Wagner.