About Me

My wife Dobrija & myself

I was born in Ontario, Canada where I started playing piano when I was just four years old. I started out by playing classical music in every one of my lessons, but it couldn't hold my full attention.

I tried out a couple of different teachers before I found the incredibly talented Francis Rose. We made a deal where I agreed to play classical music if he also taught me how to play the popular songs I was passionate about. Among my favourites were "The Pink Panther" and "Great Balls of Fire" which I was very excited to play at school talent shows. Thanks to the teaching style and expertise of Francis Rose, by the time I was 14 I was playing classical music at the highest levels. This inspired me to search out a new challenge, and I started learning how to compose music.

I have found that composing is an excellent way for me to express myself. Many of the themes have been inspired by loss. This album is dedicated to the memory of my father, John W. Bailey, who passed away when I was 17 years old. Two of the songs — Emma and Emma Ever After — were inspired by my cousin Emma Leigh Bailey, who passed suddenly in a car accident in 2007. It was a tragedy; she was only 23 and so full of life and joy.

I hope that you enjoy listening to the music as much as I enjoyed creating it!