b"inmusicspurredonthe We keep you smiling! beginningsofhiscareer. Andyetitremainsnot just a discussion between a podcast host and a re-Everyeffortismadetomarkable artist, but an in-ensuretheutmostcomforttimate discussion between for each patient. neighbors and friends.Tantillocountsherself Enjoy a modern professionallucky to live in the SOMA environmentandacaringcommunity,whereshe staff.can get to know so many As a former faculty memberJackie Tantillo, pictured here in her mother's arms. Astalentedindividuals.Its of Fairleigh Dickinson Dentalone of seven children, she had a close relationshipamazing.Thereareso School, Dr. Wisz now devoteswith her mom and speaks with admiration about her remarkable life. manygivingandloving all her time to private practice. peopleinthistownwho wood resident and renowned baritonewill be there at the drop of a hat, she singer,ChristpherenNomura.Ansays. Not only are there people in the Wendy Wisz, DMD artist who has performed with choirs,arts, you can find every facet of life. The symphonies,operahousesandevencreative spark that flourishes in SOMA Broadway, Nomuras journey captivat- captivates Nomura too. Its a very spe-General, Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry ed Tantillo. They became friends whencial community here, he says. You can theirboyswereplayinglittleleaguetell there is a real deep appreciation for baseball together. Nomura, aself-describedbaseball 250 Millburn Avenue | Millburn dadwhocoachedtheir 973-467-0077 kids' teams nearly 20 years Saturdays and Evenings Available ago,remembersanim-On site parking | Convenient location mediatefriendshipwas struck.Wejustbecame very friendly from our love oftheartsandourback-grounds and our jobs, and of course our love of base-ball! Nomura remembers.WhenTantilloap-Christpheren Nomura with his mother in his limousine proachedNomuraaboutafter a concert in Vancouver in 1995. He remembers sharinghisstoryonherhow much it had impressed her, even more when his podcast, his reaction was,driver gave them a personal tour of Vancouver. WheredoIsignup? This sounds like an amazing podcast!the arts in this community.With his friends gentle coaxing, No- When it comes to her listeners, Tan-mura shares his fascinating beginning:tillo wants them to think about their howhismother,whoplayedpianoown journeys, and yes, their mothers. and encouraged his singing and loveI hope they are inspired. Maybe it will ofmusic,trickedhimintothinkingmake them feel more fortunate, more theyweregoingsightseeingaroundappreciative. she says. Being a mother San Francisco, only for them to showand raising children is hard, and one up at an audition for the San Franciscoday a year for Mothers Day in May isnt Boys Chorus. Nomura, who was onlyenough, Tantillo asserts. It doesnt ac-6 years old, found himself singing to aknowledge or give them praise. It is the room full of delighted adults consider- mostimportantrelationshipthatwe ing him for a position within the com- have in our life, this relationship with petitive choir, which normally did notour mother. You could be a psycholo-allow children younger than 8 to join.gist, a philosopher, an expertand yet Nomura loved the experience and isitalwayscomesdowntothesignifi-grateful his mother so strongly believedcance of the relationship between you inhim.Theinterviewisfascinatingand your mom. not only because of Nomuras singularSara Courtney lives in Maplewood and life story but for how his mothers joyyes, she listened to her mother. 38/ matters magazine / spring 2021"