The young John Zaradin felt driven to make his life in music against all 'sensible' career advice offered by his peers and parents. An interest in philosophy led him to a circle of creative people dedicated to self-development. They demonstrated to him that a life in the arts was indeed possible, if he worked with some tried and tested guidelines. These included - in addition to all aspects of music, its performance and the business of survival - a rigorous self-examination and a continual re-focusing on his stated aim. His choice to both listen and act on what he was absorbing helped him...

The young John Zaradin felt driven to make his life in music against all 'sensible' career advice offered by his peers and parents. An interest in philosophy led him to a circle of creative people dedicated to self-development. They demonstrated to him that a life in the arts was indeed possible, if he worked with some tried and tested guidelines. These included - in addition to all aspects of music, its performance and the business of survival - a rigorous self-examination and a continual re-focusing on his stated aim. His choice to both listen and act on what he was absorbing helped him...