Domenico Pilato

I never experienced Thousand Island or blue cheese dressing until I went to college. Seriously! In our home, it was always oil and vinegar or a mixture of lemon and oil. That was the Italian way. In addition, I was always used to eating salad at the end of a meal. Why do I speak of greens in my bio? Well, it’s because I happen to be hungry at the moment…and the fact that I love my Italian cultural upbringing. It provided me with a strong work ethic among many other things. My dad, an immigrant from Ischia, Italy and mom, an Italian San Pedro native, taught me, at an early age, to work for what I wanted because nothing is free. I learned about trust and loyalty to my commitments and the importance of believing in myself. My parents led by example. I saw my father work tirelessly as a fisherman and a longshoreman for as long as I can remember. My mother did the same as an educational aide and raising five children. Of course, her second job (“being mom”) was easy as all of us kids were perfect little angels. Yeah, right! This work ethic instilled in me the discipline I needed to become a musician.

The first instrument I picked up and played was the trumpet. From there I taught myself the flute and the rest of the brass and woodwind instruments soon followed. I then formally got into piano lessons where I was trained on performing pieces by some of the greatest composers, my favorites being Rachmaninoff, Beethoven and Chopin. During this time, I was also active in youth leadership and government, marching band, choir and church activities; you name it I’ve done it. I went to college and earned a double major equivalent in Philosophy and Piano Performance. I became a high school band director and then went into politics, which is an entirely separate bio on its own. Let’s just say that I left a White House job to get back into my music…thank God. Throughout my life I’ve been involved with working with senior citizens, abused women and children and delinquent minors within the juvenile camp system. I lived on an Indian Reservation for a short while and even worked in a state mental institution. My love is for people and music. I hope that my story and experiences will touch many lives through Dr.Iven. This band has inspired me beyond words and my goal is to pass that inspiration on to others.