5/15/07 Today I auditioned for "Music Under New York." If accepted I would be sponsored by the New York City MTA to perform on the transit system and in some choice spots in Grand Central Station.

Why is that important? Because it is just part of the path that my life has followed. But to understand it, you need to know more.

I am a native New Yorker. I was born in New York Hospital in 1956 and have lived my entire life in the Bronx. I attended both St. Athanasius, in the South Bronx and St. Helena's Elementary School in Parchester. I went to Cathedral Prep H.S. on west 87th Street.

I started college at Fordham University at Lincoln Center in the mid 70's. I was a theater major. Yes Denzel Washington was in some of my classes. I eventually finished a BA in German Language and Literature at Hunter College and received an MA in Education at The City College of New York.

I have had more Jobs than I care to count. However, for the last 16 years, I have been an Earth Science Teacher at The High School of Fashion Industries in the NY Public School system.

This has been a God send. Prior to working for the NYCDOE I had been unemployed for 8 months. I was finally convinced by the pastor of St. Joseph's Church on the East side to go into teaching. During a job interview with him , he said, "Have you ever thought of teaching? We need people like you to go into teaching." Interestingly, I was finishing my BA after 17 years from starting it at that time. Later while working down the street, I thought, "Why Not!!"

I have enjoyed my time as a teacher. People who work in the system are really the only one's that can truly understand why we do it. It is not the money, because the abuse given to teachers by many students isn't worth. It may sound corny, but it is because you can make a difference in someone's life. You may never know what it was that did or to whom and you may never get a thank you but you know at some time you did make a difference. Just think of the teachers that affected your life that you never thanked.

In the Mid 1980's, I joined the Secular Franciscan Order. The SFO was started by St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century as a response to the desire of married people to follow his path to perfection. It is a call be Christ-like by leading a life according to the Gospels. Part of this life calls us to love others by accepting people as they are and to lead a life of simplicity. Being a Secular Franciscan makes me see others differently. I see others as a reflection of Jesus on Earth. It is not easy to follow this since, I am just as human as the next guy.

My playing of the Shakuhachi came as result of the 9/11 disaster. I had been a salesman prior to the attack. Lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center had been my territory. I knew every company on every floor of the Trade Center. Everyday, I would have coffee on the shopping level. When 9/11 occurred, I had been teaching a few years but the disaster put me into a very depressed state. Even today, I find it hard to go down to the site. October of 2001, I realized that I needed to something to get my mind off of 9/11. I decided to start playing a flute. I found the shakuhachi by accident on Ebay. It seemed interesting. I also found out that a Shakuhachi maker by the name of Perry Yung lived in New York City.

I met Perry on a park bench on Central Park West and 103rd street. I thought it a strange place to meet and actually wondered if it was legit. Well, it was. I bought my first flute from him for $100. That was a lot of money considering that I had never played on before. I really didn't know what I was in for. The Shakuhachi (Japanese Flute) is not an easy instrument to play. It takes years. I've been playing Shakuhachi for over 5 years and I have started towards achieving a teacher's license,though this is a long way off.

I started playing my flute on the subway about a year ago. I found it to be a great way to practice. It forces you to concentrate on your playing. Playing on the subway also provides an audience and a venue to perform. Most Shakuhachi players have few if any opportunities to perform publicly. There is also another dimension to it. The money I raise to goes to the St. Francis of Assisi Church Breadline on West 31st. Street.

That is why I auditioned for the Music Under New York; to help me to raise more money for the needy. However, to find out if I made it you'll have to see the movie. SUBWAY BUSKER

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