About the Mathemusical Man

Jim was born and raised in southern Wisconsin where he learned...

• To develop his talents for doing mathematics, discovering the beauty and utility of math
• To play piano (mostly classical, sacred music, ragtime, and light popular)
• To sing in various performing groups (choirs, madrigals, musical theater)
• To appreciate and adopt a strong work ethic (such as that demonstrated by dairy farmers)
• To love and support the Green Bay Packers football team

He attended Luther College (in Decorah, Iowa), where he majored in math and computer science. He also continued to participate in musical groups, both as a singer (Oratorio and Nordic choirs) and as a keyboardist (accompanist for the Luren Singers and keyboardist for a production of Godspell).

Jim moved to Portland in 1982 where he taught math at Lewis & Clark College and sang in the Portland Symphonic Choir. He came to Seattle in 1984 to continue his graduate studies in math at the UW. He earned a Master's Degree in math as well as completing all the requirements for a Ph.D. except for his research dissertation.

Jim has taught math at the college level for over 20 years a various colleges and universities in the Seattle area (UW Bothell, Digipen Institute of Technology, and various community colleges). In June 2010 Jim completed an intensive education program through City University of Seattle to acquire a Washington State teaching certificate. Jim successfully completed a mentored teaching internship at Nathan Hale High School (Oct 2009 through June 2010).

Besides his love for math and music, Jim enjoys playing volleyball, contract bridge and other card and board games, solving puzzles, attending area arts and sports events, and spending quality time with his family.

Jim is a regular performer with the Dickens Carolers, Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Seattle Choral Company, and Maple Leaf Lutheran Church choir. He also is currently a board member of the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society.