
Subsequently, he studied with the late Ariel Rubstein, the late Louis Artau, and the late György Sándor. After living in Seattle and Florida, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where James began his piano studies with Frances Mulkey North. Bastien, was born to a musical father, Clarence, who played the violin, and to a mother, Dorothy, who was a writer and a high school Latin and journalism instructor.

Subsequently, he studied with the late The American piano pedagogue and musician, James (Jim) W. The American piano pedagogue and musician, James (Jim) W.
