Eric Millstein, Percussion

Hometown: Potomac, Maryland

Joined Lyric Orchestra in 2002

Education: New England Conservatory, Temple University

• Why did you choose your instrument?  

I always liked rhythm, so when I was 5 years old, I asked my parents if I could play drums.  They were actually willing to let me but couldn't find a teacher who would take such a young student.  So I started with violin, then piano, and finally switched to percussion at age 12.

• Which teachers inspired you the most?

I am fortunate to have had incredible teachers from the very beginning and all the way through my schooling.  My first teacher was Nora Davenport, who was a percussionist in the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra.  I continued my studies at NEC with Will Hudgins of the Boston Symphony and then at Temple University with Alan Abel of the Philadelphia Orchestra.   Now that I teach percussion, I have had the privilege of sending some of my own students to study with my former teachers.

• Tell us about some of your favorite non-classical musicians, music, pieces of music, or songs:  

My music listening goes in phases, often focusing on one composer or musician very intensely for a number of months.  One of these phases began in a jazz history class at NEC, where I was introduced to the music of saxophonist Lester Young.  I still revisit his music periodically and never get tired of hearing his beautiful sound.

• Do you play any instrument other than the one you play as a Lyric Orchestra member?

I am a very amateur jazz pianist.  Since I have almost no technique on piano, I can only play ballads, but I do a little bit of jazz playing almost every day.