I had always considered myself "Rock and Roll". Sure, I studied classical piano with one of the best teachers in Sonoma County, but did I listen to classical music? Did I appreciate it? Not at all. I was Pearl Jam and Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, all the way. Then my senior year of high school hit (Santa Rosa High, go Panthers!) and I was invited to join the Academic Decathalon team as the "Music Expert". I was given a cassette tape (what's that?) of classical music... that all sounded the same. That same year, I had an emergency appendectomy, and my piano teacher delivered a shopping bag full of classical music tapes (yes, I've aged myself, again) to my hospital room. At the same time, I had taken a job for the new Music Director of the Santa Rosa Symphony. I was hooked. Classical music surrounded me everywhere I turned. Through classical music I find peace, inspiration, motivation, and for lack of a better word, a spiritual connection to the world around me. I hear classical melodies in pop and rock music, and I appreciate the complexities more with each new listen. One of my greatest joys is turning a young student on to the beauty of classical music - asking questions like "What is Beethoven trying to say here?" or "Do you see how Bach flipped his original theme upside down?". I may be alone, but I am Team Classical all the way for PIF. I'm proud to say that since I've joined PIF I have brought in more classical musicians and classically trained teachers than the organization had ever seen in the past. Understanding our history, whether anthropologically or musically is key to understanding who we are today. We must listen to classical music to fully appreciate how we have gotten to the Rock and Roll that we love now. Help me reach my personal fundraising goal of $1000 to support Play it Forward in another year of free lessons and other programming that supports music lovers of all backgrounds. Let's build community through the power of music. Thank you!