Mr. Gawthrop began piano studies at age 8 under Carol Petty, later studying with Mischa Kottler of Detroit. Mr. Kottler was a pupil of Sergei Rachmaninoff among others. In 1996 Mr. Gawthrop became a full time musician, splitting his time between teaching, performing, and recording. He is currently organist at Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church. He produced and directed a variety show in 1998 titled This & That, and has recorded 7 different CDs, including his 2001 solo CD Brilliant Blue. Mr. Gawthrop first soloed with the Eastside Symphony in 1997 at the Moore Theater in Seattle.