I grew up in a western suburb of Chicago and studied photography at DuPage College and then for 3 years at Columbia College, Chicago.

I love classical music which was introduced to me by my music teacher Mrs. Kathy Holyoak while I was in the 7th grade in 1971. It changed my life, and classical music also saved my life. I’m in debt and gratitude to Kathy Holyoak for the gift of classical music and the first teacher who really paid attention to me.

My love for nature was instilled in me during a trip my dad took us on to the Canadian Rockies in 1969.

My next influence was Mr. Aldo Mungai, my English Teacher for 3 years, who instilled in me a love for literature and an appreciation for life in general from his display of the same in his classroom.