In 1983, he began studying with his cousin George Bassman (who orchestrated The Wizard of Oz and wrote the music for the films Marty and The Postman Always Rings Twice).
Tahun 1983, dia mulai belajar bersama keponakannya, George Bassman (yang menyusun orkestra untuk The Wizard of Oz dan mengomposisi musik untuk film Marty dan The Postman Always Rings Twice).