Composer/Songwriter, Bandleader/Collaborator, Facilitator of New Tunes.
Pictured above: collage of images from Sō Percussion's 2019 Summer Institute, credit Andrea Tafelski. Written below: a retrospective on my self-indulgent summer travels, which began with the institute, led me to dear friends in NYC, and culminated with Bang on a Can's LOUD Weekend. In a bit more detail--my trip began with two weeks at … Continue reading Sō What?
I would like you all to meet Benny the cat, who lives with his somewhat more warlike cousin Stella at my airbnb in Brooklyn (read: friend's apt). Tomorrow, I am unfortunately leaving Benny to head tor Sō Percussion's Summer Institute. I am, however, elated that the members of Sō Percussion and esteemed students of the festival … Continue reading I’m attending SōSI 2019…and so can you!
Hi everyone, I write having just returned from sunny Arizona, where I was visiting the NASA Region 2 Conference (no, not that NASA). The weekend was packed with stellar performances: thanks to the hard work of the University of Arizona saxophone studio, I caught works by Biedenbender, Pann, Mellits, Zoulek, and on and on. I also … Continue reading superior cloud days
Hi everyone-- I'm very excited for the month ahead and I hope you'll join me on what promises to be the busiest months yet of my career. There will be four (FOUR!) performances of my tenor saxophone piece and the semester will cap off with the premiere of a new work for orchestra. Read on: … Continue reading Saxophone Saxophone Saxophone
Hello everyone, happy holidays. As the title notes, this semester has been mostly quiet, publically quiet. That's not to say memories haven't been made--Pulitzer-winning chamber choir Roomful of Teeth privately read a new work of mine, a new batch of ducks took the stage for the first time, and I premiered my first solo audio/video work … Continue reading a quiet semester, but with color
Dear adoring fans of Canvas the Bear, It's with great pleasure that I announce that the full-length version of Canvas the Bear will be making its Michigan debut this month. The work will appear at two concerts alongside other tunes commissioned by the Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble. Each piece was written specifically … Continue reading Canvas the Bear RETURNS (again)!!!
Hi everyone! It's a new year--or at least a new school year--and I've just started my MM at the University of Missouri. Hence, the website got a shiny new finish, which includes a now-much-easier-to-navigate media section! In addition to this, Fifth House Ensemble has just released a video of a performance of genealogy I at Constellation … Continue reading new year, new me
Summer is going FAST! What have I LEARNED?! bear spray =/= bug spray don't trust Super 8s, ever outdoor jacuzzis > indoor jacuzzis etc. etc. What have I not learned?! how to create a healthy schedule, probably. I've gone straight from the effervescent Fresh Inc. Festival to a tour with the Grand Valley State University … Continue reading digesting, percolating
Tony Byrne, a longtime friend and collaborator (remember THIS?) has put out another portrait of his travels--this time through urban India--and sourced the audio from one of my recent collaborations, Waiting for Niko. Good shots, and engaging pacing. You can see India // 2018 with accompanying audio Brothrrs (excerpt) below:
Wow! It's been more than a year since I've been in school, which took me by surprise. I've been teaching, teching, and touring more than I ever was able during class, which has been equal parts fulfilling and eye-opening. However, I crave the structure, camaraderie, and growth that the academic environment engenders, so I'm very … Continue reading Niko hits the road
