It's just a ride

But this past week has been challenging. Now that what happened has finally sunk in, I need to get something off my chest.

About a week and a half ago, I lost a long-time teacher, role model, and friend when Bob Cerone passed away after his battle with colon cancer. I have taken piano/guitar lessons from Bob for the better part of 7 years of my life. He has meant a lot to me. My relationship with him was a unique one. It was easy to let him into my life because he didn’t push - it felt natural. I could go to him for advice outside of music just as easily as I could for a new “tasty riff” to learn. I was one of the first testers of his invention and the first student he ever visited for lessons. 

Without Bob, I don’t know if things would have been different. I may have gone elsewhere to learn the piano and guitar, but it wouldn’t have been the same. Ask any student of Bob’s, and they’ll tell you he was an extraordinary teacher. He had a way of relating to his students and often ended up teaching me more than just lessons in music. I could write a book full of his words of “wisdom” - the man was quite the comedian with his one-liners. He was the author of classic stories that will always resonate and my mind, and music that will always be playing in my memory. 

I’d like to take this opportunity not only to thank Bob for all of the things I have already mentioned, but for one more thing as well. Bob was the first person who made me realize what I had in my voice. I always knew I could sing, but it was him who made me realize I had the potential to do more with it than just perform for my shower walls. Thanks to his encouragement, I continue to push my voice to its limits; through singing for high school choirs, in a high school musical, with my band Neon Karrot, and finally with the Doo Wop Shop at UMass. So thank you Bob, you’ve pushed me into pursuing something that has brought me an incredible amount of joy, and will continue to for the rest of my life. Rest in peace my friend.