Lake Highlands music teacher, Mike Ellis, received an email from Robert Strauss, composer, musical director, producer, songwriter, and owner of Wax Recording Studio in London about Mike's Chordmaster Chord Theory for Keyboard course.

Robert said, "It was a break through bit of insight into the world of music mechanics. You're a truly principled, lovely and gifted fellow. You're teaching has opened the universe for me to truly access the theory I had been intimidated by my whole career. I learned, self taught upon taking your course, to really play piano (which I still do everyday)."

Robert's latest album is entitled "Morning Light" and can be purchased at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Morning-Light-Personal-Life/dp/B00D2Y3HU6, but first, let me tell you more about Mr. Strauss.

To date Robert's artistic output includes six singles, two solo albums and the debut album from Personal Life. Robert's own creative output is primarily within the Soul, Jazz &Funk genres. As producer / engineer his work is far and wide ranging in genre from Classical to Hip Hop, Country, Reggae, Metal and so on. Robert's music thus far has been primarily released on UK & European labels including: Expansion Records, Tokyo Dawn Records, BBE, Freerange, and Yoruba Records / Souljazz Records. His production work had also been featured on over 100 commercial releases such as Expansion Records: Soul Togetherness & Luxury Soul 2013 & 2014 Compilations, Dimitri From Paris's Return To Playboy Mansion, Kenny Dope & Karisma's Soul Heaven, Louie Vega's Mad Styles & Crazy Visions 2, Joey Negro's Lust and Soul and Osunlade's Cinco Anos Despue (Five Years On).

He has worked with names such as Amy Winehouse’s fade to black band, Paul Jackson (Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters), Antonio Sanchez (Pat Metheny Trio), Ian Thomas (Michael Jackson, Dire Straits, Bob Dylan), Swing Out Sister, Alexander O’Neal, Jimmy Norden (Alice Russell, Beth Rowley), Max Cliverd (Tom Odell), Kelli Leigh (Adelle), Alex Bonfanti (Jessie Ware), Xantone Blacq (Nigel Kennedy, Laura Mvula), Max Grunhard (Prince, Ibibio Sound Machine) plus many very talented independent artists.

On his website, http://www.robertstrauss.com, he says, "As an Artist / Musician, Producer & Engineer (as well as scoring for Film & Television), with over 500 tracks commercially released, I have had the honour and joy of working in so many genres. Hip-Hop, Classical & Orchestral, Jazz & Fusion, Electronic Dance Music, Modern & Old School Blues, Hard Rock, Country. Indigenous Folk, Brazilian & Latino to South American sounds. African meets Jamaica, Eastern, Klezmer & Celtic traditions. It’s all one music, it’s all one people…A true privilege to be included in so many creative circles, and one that I wouldn’t trade for the world."

If you would like to advance your piano playing, visit Mike Ellis Music Instruction at 9450 Skillman, Suite 101, Dallas, TX 75238 or call Mike at 469-855-6865. You can also buy the book Robert used by going to Amazon.com. There are more reviews there, too.

Thanks again to Robert and best wishes to all of you.

P.S. Christmas is coming soon! :-)