2013.

The YOURS Project site I work for is located in the Logan Square neighborhood, and I’m very excited that we’ll be launching our program at Ames Middle School this month.  We’ll have somewhere around forty to fifty brand new students who will play an instrument for the first time in their lives.  I get to teach with a versatile staff of musicians from all different kinds of backgrounds (who are also very talented at charades, which I learned at our holiday party.)  

My winter project.

On Sunday, February 24th at 7PM I’ll be hosting the first recital of the YOURS Faculty Chamber Series. It will be a chamber recital comprised of new music composed by my friends and colleagues in Chicago.  I’m thrilled to be performing works by Eric Malmquist, Luke Gullickson, Tom Madeja, and Ayriole Frost. This recital will also be the premiere performance of my quintet, Windswept. I’m excited to bring so many talented musicians together to contribute to a music project that is so vital to the children and neighborhoods of Chicago.  The recital will be given at the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, a beautiful church where I gave my Alzheimer's Benefit recital this past August.

I've got exciting updates to share! My wind quintet has finally decided on a name: Windswept.  We're also planning a recital for this winter, so stay tuned for more information on the specific date and location! Luke Gullickson's piece "Lost Chorales" will definitely be a part of the recital repertoire.

Nu Directions Chamber Brass is a group I've become involved with this fall through the director of the YOURS Project in Logan Square, Tom Madeja.  I just posted a link under the audio/video portion of this site where you can hear recordings of our last concert on October 5, 2012 at the Chicago Calling Arts Festival. Check it out! 

It is such a relief to have today off!  It's nice to get out of the city just for a day so that I can have some time to myself to practice, exercise, and get energized about new projects.  There's nothing like a gorgeous fall day away from the congestion of the city to give me new focus.  I'm going to be applying for summer orchestral programs, the Chicago Civic Orchestra, and symphony positions in Nashville and Seattle. Time to get into audition mode!

This week I'll be rehearsing with the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble in preparation for our concert, Strings and Things that Swing!, on October 20.  Here is a recent e-blast from the group that includes a profile of me and Talia Pavia.  There is no other way to describe playing with CJP than to say that it is a total blast.  It's a blessing to able to perform with such positive, talented people in a medium I love.  Hope to see you there!