My process. It’s purposefully different from other composers, a reflection of my training and experiences, and a little bit weird. Filming oneself for a long stretch of time while writing is a truly vulnerable moment for any composer! I let the camera run as I developed some new music for violin and chamber orchestra. This short clip shows how ideas are captured, distilled, thrown out, and polished, from trying ideas out on the piano, to fully orchestrated symphonic sound!

On the 6-year anniversary of the premiere of this, my first major orchestral composition, I find myself thinking about my family of immigrants more than ever. Having been born in the United States, I’ve always thought of myself as an American, but with a father who emigrated in childhood, and a mother whose family came to this country to build a new life shortly before her birth, I’ve begun to feel a deeper connection with the experiences of my elders and the millions of families who are currently adjusting to life in this country. I … Read more

As I continue to sketch for my new composition, ORBITS, I made a pact with myself to be open to musical ideas of any style, from any source of inspiration, even from my past work regardless of how seemingly unrelated. This week I’ve been developing a musical idea that was inspired by my time in in the forests of northern Georgia, as well as by the music of the “newgrass” musicians I admired as a child (Bela Fleck is obviously an influence in this particular sketch). The larger concept of “various orbits” is strengthened by … Read more

In this 6th episode of my video series that follows my journey bringing a large, concerto-like composition to life, I chat with violinist Holly Mulcahy about the problems that virtuosity can bring to a new composition, and how writing simple music can be so difficult. Holly has happily agreed to be the soloist (or potentially one of multiple soloists) for the premiere of this composition when it is complete, and you can follow along on YouTube to see the past episodes, and to stay updated on my work as the composition progresses and finally gets into … Read more

In 2017, Chef Rebecca Barron and I had a dream of a multi-sensory evening. Our guests would experience tastes and sounds unified by colors at the historic St. John’s Restaurant in Chattanooga, TN. As violinist Holly Mulcahy and I performed musical compositions, paired with Chef Barron’s food and sommelier Michelle Richards’ wine selections, the white interior space of the restaurant was flooded with a specific color of projected light. This is the story of how our collaboration proceeded.