Making NoIse at the Nief-norf Summer Festival 2016

I've finally returned home from Tennessee and my mind is still buzzing with all of the amazing people and music I've experienced at Nief-Norf this past couple of weeks! I had the special pleasure to get to learn from and work with the director of the composition division of nief-norf, Christopher Adler, as well as with visiting composers Tonia Ko, Christopher Burns, and Tim Feeney.

I also had the joy of hearing Annea Lockwood speak about her work at the nnsf Research Summit: Astro Bio Geo Physical Music Conference - organized by Kerry O'Brien, followed by an immersive installation at Ijams Nature Center of Annea Lockwood & Bob Bielecki's Wild Energy, followed by a nief-norf performance of Iannis Xenakis' Pléïades.

Each and every member of the nief-norf faculty and staff was superbly insightful, thoughtful, and willing to go the extra distance in pursuit of musical and artistic exploration.

Reflecting the general atmosphere and culture of nief-norf, I was especially pleased to experience the growth of a true community of mind and music with the other fellows. It is a community that I will carry forward with me as I prepare to begin my PhD in the fall.

​A special thank you to the musicians and coaches who worked on my piece The Audacity: Elizabeth Milligan (flute), Sarah Elizabeth Compton (violin), David Floyd (bass clarinet), Katie Eikam (vibraphone/percussion) & Kevin Zetina (marimba/percussion), coached by Ashley Walters and conducted by Christopher Adler!

Another special thank you to fellow Rutgers student Brant Roberts who organized a reading of my percussion trio The Ravening Clouds with Kevin Zetina and Jon Clancy, conducted by another nief-norf composition fellow Jeremy Wexler during norfSPACE!

​And a last thank you to Andy Bliss, Kerry O'Brien, and all of the amazing faculty, staff, and visiting composers whose guidance, thoughts, and performances will continue to inspire me as I continue to run around trying new things. I can't wait to continue these collaborations over the course of the next year, and am so excited to hear what all the other fellows, faculty and staff work on this year! ??? #nn2016 #niefnorf2016

Video by Kevin of Four/Ten Media