Ok, I've posted on the original BBC boards for years (probably from 2002 onwards) and moved (mostly) here about the time it started.  I trained as a geologist but found myself working in research as an analytical chemist. 
I've played the piano since i was 7 (I'm now 35) and play mostly Liszt - my favourite composer of all.  I am a member of the Liszt society and have been for years and write their CD reviews for them as well as the odd concert review.  My own CD collection is mostly Romantic, mostly piano and music that involves the piano, but my mind has been broadened somewhat to include early music.  I'm also a lapsed oboeist and violinist.
As you can see from my avatar, I also am interested in shells - the hobby is called Conchology and I am a member of both British shell clubs and have written many articles for them.  I have over 7000 in my database and a whole mass of unidentified stuff which probably means that I will have enough shells to keep me identifiying until I am about 80, even if i buy no more, ever.  If you look at the collecting thread, my other hobbies are listed there as well (well, apart from Astronomy).
I'm on a self imposed smiley ban this week so won't put one in...

(Edited to reflect change in circumstances)

Although I'm a Brit, I live in Moscow and stage operas (and also musicals, and recently even some straight theatre). I've also directed in other E European countries, and I have some shows still playing in rep in places like Belarus, Serbia and Mongolia (as you can see, I move among the cosmopolitan jetset).  I'm artistic consultant for a smallish music festival, and also for Moscow's only professional chamber orchestra specialising (mainly) in contemporary music. It's the only contemporary music ensemble to tour beyond Moscow on a regular basis. We've managed to take some well-considered UK performers to audiences in major cities in Siberia.  I also do some coaching on roles, and on English language pronounciation with opera singers.

When I'm "resting", I do some travel guidebook updating and editing - I occasionally write for UK newspapers, and I string a bit for BBC R4 once in a blue moon (if you hear my voice, you know they're really scraping the barrel). I play the recorder, trumpet, cornet, viola and piano - all very, very badly.  For ten years I was the Stage Manager for the London New Year's Day Parade,  so I am qualified to slide around in elephant-shit in the snow. My own stage debut in opera - as the back end of a pantomime horse - sadly failed to attract critical notice.  I favour calm and considered postings and never argue with Ian Pace at all.  Sometime in what seems to be a former life I worked at ENO for sizeable time, where I met the excellent chap who is Opilec on these boards.

My board name refers to Mr Zimmerman of course. I was going through a rediscovery phase of Dylan's music when this forum came into being last year. Music has always been important to me but for years it was jazz, blues, folk and Americana until I made a concerted attempt to educate myself in classical a decade ago. That education continues on this board; for instance opera was a particular blind spot for me but is a subject which is written about here with much knowledge and passion that has inspired me to explore further.

Glory days were as a gig promoter and "alternative" DJ from 1970 for about ten years, including concerts with a number of household names in rock and a particularly memorable private party for a legendary guitar hero.

I sometimes wonder if my wide ranging musical tastes show a certain shallowness and maybe I should pursue a narrower path in more depth but then I will hear something that I really loathe and reassure myself that I do have some discrimination after all.

Still just an old hippie really.

bbm,

So how exactly do you trace your ancestry back to BPC? He had one illegitimate daughter who in turn had three of her own, all of whom died without issue. I don't understand how that can lead to any direct descendants.

Kittybriton is generally agreed by her immediate family to be a complete waste of space, and too British to ever fit in properly in America where she emigrated (sort-of-unintentionally) at the end of 2003.
Education was a dismal failure, not in any way a reflection on those who tried.
Her career (hahahaha!) has also been a dismal failure, probably due to a deep-rooted antipathy to all forms of direction. Her first marriage was almost a success. She is now hoping the lessons learned will bear fruit (or something).
As a contributor to the message board, KB has succeeded occasionally in muddying otherwise potable waters, and thinking so far outside the box that psychiatrists across the globe are still picking bits of sticky tape off their couches.

I was born and brought up in a Cheshire village. My parents were both linguists, specialising in French but also fluent in German. There was a lot of French influence in my life, and I have always thought of myself as a European. My mother was very musical, my father not at all. In my schooldays I was a failed pianist and flautist, a passionate but mediocre ballet student, a keen actress, a rather more successful singer. However, lack of real talent in any of these directions meant I had to settle for reading English at university (provincial redbrick), then do a second degree in London, where I spent most of my time at plays, opera and ballet. I became a university lecturer, but when I had children I stopped and looked after them, something that is now considered extraordinary, but I have never regretted it, and have never been bored. The jobs (mine and my husband's) led me back to the north west, rather to my regret. I would rather have been in London.

Musical life consisted of singing in several choirs, and obsessively going to concerts, theatres etc. I have, as boarders will know, a passion for the music of Benjamin Britten, but I am also very keen on Bach, Schubert, and Mahler. My other interests are poetry (which is probably why I love vocal music so much), art, architecture, flora and fauna, the countryside - and talking.

PS - I realise I have given no indication of my age, probably because I'd like to forget it. I was born during the 2nd world war, which no doubt makes me a typical Radio 3 listener. I can boast, though, that at least one of my brainwashed children is also keen on serious music, and actually goes to concerts.

John Wright, real name. 55, married, two grown up children, science degree yonks ago at Edinburgh, semi-retired now but do consulting for local businesses in Warwickshire/West Mids usually 3 days a week, so you will find me on here day times when I'm bored.

Music has been in my head all my life, rock and classical music when I was young, punk, then early jazz and dance band music on 78rpm records became a fascination, wrote a few articles over the years and I have a research website. Enjoyment of the light/variety music on BBC Radio 2 brought me to the BBC messageboards. Co-founder of this board and a similar one for R2. Like Reiner I never argue with Ian Pace. I used to be 'the' mod on here but my regime was overthrown. The new elected mods took pity on me and gave me a desk job 

Always listened to 'classical' music, always collected vinyl, attend concerts by local semi-pro orchestras. Only ever played the recorder, three sizes. This group got me interested in buying a violin but haven't plucked up courage for lessons.

John