My Music
I am a contemporary composer whose work encompasses elements of classical, indie rock and folk music. Having studied piano as a kid, the piano often takes on a primary roll in my work. But I am also drawn toward the colors of the orchestra, percussion, and the many possibilities of the digital audio workstation. I love mixing the analog warmth of real instruments with the electronic sounds of synths and manipulated sounds.
As an artist, I'm interested in exploring the space between culture and nature. I am a passionate environmentalist and spend a lot of time in the woods of Vermont thinking about our relationship to each other and our world. I want my work to speak to the challenges of loving each other and the other sentient beings we share this planet with and to reflect deeply about the environment we all share.
"Cross & Eight" for Exponential Ensemble
The title of this piece comes from the intersection of two streets near my home and is a metaphor for the intersections with the people in my life. Can we find a common humanity to help find solutions? Can we find a way to talk to each other without dehumanizing each other? Can we find intersections of love and humanity?
Exponential Ensemble:
Flute - Anna Urrey
Oboe - Kemp Jernigan
Clarinet - Pascal Archer
Cello - Caleb van der Swaagh
Piano - Matthew Graybil
Audio Engineering/Videography - Stuart Breczinski
Recorded February 4th, 2022
The DiMenna Center for Classical Music/Cary Hall NYC
"Sowing Discord" for viola and piano
Performed at the Composers' Collective concert on June 25th, 2019 at the National Opera Center in NYC featuring violist Chelsea Wimmer and pianist Emely Phelps. I wanted to explore the dark warmth of the viola surrounded by the upper and lower registers of the piano while pushing my harmonic language. I am a programmatic composer, often responding to the experiences and observations of daily life. With this piece I tapped into my anxiety - in particular the fear and discord that currently permeate our politics and culture. And although that anxiety opens and closes this piece - at its core is hope.