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

1 May 2016
Le Poisson Rouge
NY, New York

So honored to have been included on this program by Maestro Kynan Johns! The fantastic Pamela Stein Lynde reprised my piece I Am Not Yours with Helix! under the baton of Larry Markiewicz. I'm so thankful for all of the work and attention that the performers and the conductor have put into this piece. I am especially thankful to Pamela, who has continued to find nuance and depth in each performance of this piece.

Congratulations to the founders (Bri Tagliaferro and Kevin "Kay" Madison) and members of Split the Lark on their NY debuts of some fantastic music!

A special shoutout to my friends and family (hi mom & dad!) who came out to support me, despite insanely busy schedules and physical injury! 💜

2 April, 2016
Shindell Choral Hall
Rutgers University

A marathon of new music created and performed by collaborative pairs of Rutgers composers and performers/ensembles! What a fantastic experience, from working with my cochair Thomas Purcell to plan and realize this program, to hearing all of the fantastic premiers, including two of my own! (Listen for harp, premiered by Joseph Pagani; There was a goat's head for violin, premiered by Thomas Purcell)

It was so rewarding to help facilitate these collaborations and performances, and to help create an experimental space within Rutgers where composers and performers can dip their toes into the pools of their personal unknowns.

20 November, 2015
Shindell Choral Hall
Rutgers University

A huge thank you to Helix!, maestro Kynan Johns, maestro Larry Markiewicz, and the inimitable soprano Pamela Stein Lynde for their performance of my piece I am not yours last night! It was such a pleasure to hear the entire concert, but especially a pleasure to hear my music realized so wonderfully.

5 & 7 November, 2015
Loree Dance Theater
Rutgers University

​Check out the video of Nicole Ashley Cameli's choreography/performance of One of these days I'm gonna have to get a new thing, with music by yours truly - New Thing for fixed electronics - and great lighting designed by Sara Martino! So grateful to have collaborated with such an awesome choreographer and dancer! Congratulations Nicole!!

25 October, 2015
Shindell Choral Hall
Rutgers University

The composers & performers of Rutgers' first Digital Audio Concert! (from the left: Brad Garton, Aurie Hsu, Brendan Kingsly, Jack Impink, myself, Steven Kemper, D. Turner Matthews, Chris Kaminski, Mark Zaki, Chris Opperman & Casey Mullen. Not pictured: Judith Shatin) A huge thank you to composer & RU Professor Steven Kemper, who organized and executed this event! Premiere performance of my piece To the Roaring Wind for flute & live electronics.