Chamber Music
Affirmations
For Piano and Bass Drum | Duration: 4’00
Awaken
For String Quartet | Duration: 3’00
Aspirations and Sorrows
For Voice, Piano, and Strings | Duration: 8’00
Aspirations and Sorrows, commissioned by Castle of Our Skins for musiConnects, continues a project in which musiConnect students created their own poetry inspired by the works of Langston Hughes. While composing this piece, I was deeply moved by the honesty and authenticity in the students' voices, and their reflections on their hopes and dreams for the world we share. Each poem resonated with a unique perspective, and I aimed to create music that fully embodied the essence of each one. It was an honor to bring these powerful works to life.
A Toast, A Prayer
For Voice and String Quartet | Duration: 5’00
A Toast, A Prayer, the fourth movement of Soul Food: Exploring the Black Experience through Inherited Traditions, is a moment of gratitude, rooted in the culinary legacy I inherited from my both of my grandmothers. In turn, they inherited it from their parents and grandparents. As Black Americans, we often feel distanced from our heritage, yet this connection to soul food ties me back to generations before me. I’m deeply grateful for the sacrifices that made my life possible, and this movement is a tribute to that enduring lineage.
Bells
For Piano and Violin | Duration: 2’00
Bells, the first movement of Soul Food: Exploring the Black Experience through Inherited Traditions, is a reflective piece that invites us to pause and listen deeply to the voices of our ancestors. It challenges us to move beyond the surface of their legacy and learn from their experiences. Often, we become so entangled in our own struggles that we feel isolated, believing no one has ever faced what we face. Yet, our experiences are echoes of those who came before us—a new verse in an age-old story. This piece is a direct call to uncover the full truth of our ancestors’ journey and draw strength from it.
Don’t Open Your Eyes
For Piano and Percussion | Duration: 5’30
Don't Open Your Eyes invites the audience into a unique experience, one that goes beyond simply listening. While the piano anchors the room, subtle sounds and movements unfold around you, adding layers that aren’t always seen, only felt. To truly immerse yourself, close your eyes. Let the piano become the last thing you remember seeing, and allow your other senses to take over as the piece gently pulls you into a space where sound and imagination intertwine.
Dis Tastes Different
For Modified Pierrot Ensemble | Duration: 14’30
Dis Tastes Different, the fifth movement of Soul Food: Exploring the Black Experience through Inherited Traditions, marks a sharp turning point in the collection. This piece grapples with the complex history woven into our traditions. While we celebrate the rich cultural legacy of Black Americans, we can’t ignore the painful roots from which these traditions grew. This movement lays bare the resilience born from struggle, asking us to confront the unvarnished history behind our cherished customs.
Goodbye For Now
For Modified Pierrot Ensemble | Duration: 6’00
Goodbye for Now, the final movement of Soul Food: Exploring the Black Experience through Inherited Traditions, offers a bittersweet conclusion to this part of my journey. Although I wrestle with the weight of my history, I recognize it as an intrinsic part of me. This movement is a gift to you, a passing of this legacy, so that together we may keep sharing and learning. Thank you, ancestors, for guiding me to this place. May we continue to seek your wisdom and carry your story forward.
Spun
For Trumpet Duo | Duration: 4’30
Inspired by the mesmerizing glass sculptures of Jack Storms, Spun takes listeners on a journey through vibrant and whirling melodic textures. As I wrote this piece, I imagined each note as a reflection in one of Storms’ intricate designs—bright, fluid, and always in motion. The melodies and countermelodies weave tightly together, inviting the performers to truly connect and play as one. Throughout, you’ll hear moments that range from calm to chaotic, always searching for balance. My heartfelt thanks to the Chroma Collective for bringing this piece to life and for giving me the chance to create something so joyful!
Tiptoe
For Bass Clarinet and Marimba | 3’00
The story behind Tiptoe feels like something out of a surreal dream. It all started with a phone call from my grandfather. He had this gut feeling—an inexplicable sense that I needed to be cautious, to watch out for something lurking just out of sight. His words stirred up a sense of anxiety that followed me through the day, making every step feel like I was tiptoeing around an unseen threat. This piece for marimba and bass clarinet captures that feeling, blending together moments of tension and apprehension. My thanks to Transient Canvas for perfectly executing and expressing every nuance of this unusual journey.
Don’t Open Your Eyes
For Piano and Percussion | 5’30
Don't Open Your Eyes invites the audience into a unique experience, one that goes beyond simply listening. While the piano anchors the room, subtle sounds and movements unfold around you, adding layers that aren’t always seen, only felt. To truly immerse yourself, close your eyes. Let the piano become the last thing you remember seeing, and allow your other senses to take over as the piece gently pulls you into a space where sound and imagination intertwine.
Where Are My Keys
For 4 Percussionists | 2’00
Where Are My Keys captures the all-too-familiar frustration of losing track of things like keys or wallets—and the frantic, almost comical dance we go through to find them. Originally performed by members of the George Mason New Sound Collective, this piece uses body percussion to bring the search to life, blending the concert setting with the rhythmic energy of the African American Tradition of step. The result is a playful, percussive journey that celebrates the ordinary moments that connect us all.