Musician
At the age of four, while picking at my pre-school piano, I discovered that I could play the piano! I was soon able to play all the popular tunes I was hearing on the radio. Without ever learning to read notes, this talent for which I am most appreciative, evolved into my being able to play complex classical music as well. By age six, I was playing on stage at local theater talent shows, on the local radio station, and at school assemblies. In junior high, singing was added to my joy of music. Among my greatest pleasures is playing for the enjoyment of others. Some highlights in my performing "career" include:
- Eglin Air Force Base: Invited to play for "shell shocked" pilots and witnessed the "awakening effect" that music can have on the depressed and mute, 1952
- Pensacola High School: Supporting lead in their production of "South Pacific," 1958
- U.S. State Department-USO sponsored cast member of "The Bells Are Ringing," performing throughout Southeast Asia, 1962
- Colorado University Songfest, Chairman, 1962
- La Jolla Civic and University Chorus and Orchestra, 1972-74, 1980-82
- Organized regular singalongs for the Alcohol Treatment Program at the La Jolla V.A. Hospital, once joined by actor Dick van Dyke, 1974-77
- UCSD Gospel Choir (charter member) under founder, Prof. Cecil Lytle, 1974-77
- Soloist: Colorado University Glee Club; San Diego Master Chorale;
- UCSD touring production of "The Naked Gershwin" with Cecil Lytle and Dr. Paul Saltman, 1984-87
- Super Bowl Pianist, San Diego, 1988
- La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla, CA, Grand Salon pianist, 1990-2
- Pianist for American Psychiatric Association Convocations, 1991-97
- Piano performances: Toronto's Elgin Theater; Washington D.C.'s Constitution Hall, 1998, 2000
- NBC "Today Show with Katie Couric" performance, July 4, 2004
- In commemoration of Freud's 150th birthday created and performed a one-man show, "On the Couch," at The Museum of New York City, 2005
- CD Recording: "Stardust Memories," A Timeless Cross-Generational, Cross-Cultural Musical Experience, with Dr. Ed Siegel and featuring Joohoe "Peppy" Koo, 2006
- Played for audiences in eighty countries to appreciative audiences, both in concert and In hotel lobbies (mostly the latter!), 1964-present
- Twice played the Steinway Concert Grand piano that toured with Vladamir Horowitz
- Stage performances with celebrated entertainer, Ben Vereen 2007-09
- Led stadium singing the "Star Spangled Banner" in G-major at the SDSU Aztecs vs. CSU Rams basketball game, Ft. Collins, CO, January 30, 2010
- Introduced the "power of music" to kids at Solana Beach Summer Camps, 2007-10
- Monthly concerts/singalongs at area retirement communities 1989-10
- Guest Conductor of the Fort Collins Symphony, July 4th, 2015 (See Youtube: Dr Ed Siegel)
- Pensacola Symphony, Guest Conductor, May 20th, 2016 (See Youtube: Dr Ed Siegel)
- Dr. Ed Siegel, piano presents Joohoe "Peppy" Koo, vocals in a Timeless Cross-Cultural, Cross Generational Musical Experience (See Youtube: Dr Ed Siegel)
- Narrator: Ft. Collins Symphony, April 11th, 2016: Saint Sean's "Carnival of the Animals"
- Narrator: Ft. Collins Symphony, February 12th, 2017: Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf"
- Narrator: Ft. Collins Symphony, February 11th, 2018: Ravel's "Mother Goose Suite"
- Co-composer of the Official City Song of Solana Beach
- Organized and leads the weekly "Solana Beach Community Singalong" 1987 - present