Professor, Loma Linda University School of Nursing, Loma Linda, CA, USA; formerly Research Director, Mary Potter Hospice, Wellington, New Zealand

Lyndon Johnston Taylor is soloist and principal second violin with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a position he first held in 1997. Previous to this appointment, he had taught violin at La Sierra University, served as concertmaster of the Redlands and Riverside symphony orchestras, and played violin in the LAP, before becoming principal of the second violins. From 2007 to 2011, he served as Assistant Concertmaster for the New Zealand Symphony and then re-joined the LAP in his former position upon his return to the U.S.  

Lyndon is the youngest of four children of Morris and Elaine Myers Taylor.  Raised in a well-known musical family, he and his siblings started lessons on piano and a string instrument at an early age. Although active as a performing musician, Elaine made her role as mother the priority in her life. She nurtured her children both spiritually and musically, sparing no effort to be the best parent and teacher possible.

That dedication, with support and assistance from their father, created an atmosphere in the home where the children's musical gifts flourished. The children, who practiced a string instrument and piano daily for an hour each and rehearsed for a third hour as a string quartet, achieved at a remarkable level.

end of life, family carers, hospice,Maori, palliative care