Category: News

  • I Went On a Work Retreat Coming up: a new series on the stories behind my album

    I Went On a Work Retreat

    Coming up: a new series on the stories behind my album

    I went on a work retreat last week. I needed some long, undistracted work hours to knock out a few things that have been sitting on my to-do list. I found a cheap, off-season airbnb in the Poconos and became a monk for three days.

    I worked on two things: my new website and setting up the marketing for my new album (you know the “new” one that came out last fall).

    It’s that second task that I want to highlight. I haven’t actually given my album a proper marketing treatment yet. My release show last fall really took the wind out of me and my website hasn’t been capable of doing what I’ve had in mind, but that will change soon.

    I want to do a 5-or-so-part series here on Substack that goes into the story behind the album and the writing of the songs. If you’re new to my music, this will be a good introduction. If you’ve been around awhile, you might enjoy my finally going deep.

    So, keep an eye out for that to begin…hopefully next week!

  • A New Song for Piano Day

    A New Song for Piano Day

    Happy Piano Day! Actually, it was yesterday. I’m a little late in sending this out. The 88th day of the year (for the 88 keys on a piano) is a worldwide celebration of the GOAT instrument. I got to participate in the celebrations this year by writing an original, piano-solo piece for AD21 Music in Spain.

    The piece is called Growing Up. It’s a sweet little waltz that reflects the fragile but glorious experience of new growth. Perfect for springtime.

    It’s out now and available to listen wherever you like to listen to music!

    Stream Growing Up

    If you like this song and/or solo piano music in general, check out the album. Some real great composers on here. It was an honor to be included.

  • Three Films Showing at NEPA Film Festival A whole new love for film

    Three Films Showing at NEPA Film Festival

    A whole new love for film

    Me with director Tony Susi at the first screening of The Trunk, one of the three films I got to score that’s playing at the NEPA Film Festival in a couple weeks.

    Three years ago I started attending film festivals in my region. Not only was I looking for something to watch that wasn’t another superhero spinoff, I also wanted to start doing more film scoring work and thought that networking with local filmmakers would give me that opportunity. It sure did.

    My local festival – NEPA Film Festival – is taking place in just a couple weeks – April 4-6 – and I have THREE films showing that I got to score! More than that, I’ll have a featured place at the opening night gala where I and a new cellist I’m working with will be performing my original music, including the theme from one of the films I scored, The Trunk:

    If you’re local, come on out! Here’s the website with more information and links for tickets: https://nepafilmfestival.com/

    I have always loved film, but getting to be a part of creating films has given me a whole new love for it. There’s perhaps no other art form that involves as many people and disciplines as film (possibly musical theater), and as such, the making of any film, big or small, requires an egoless cooperation that naturally creates a kind of community around itself. So this year’s festival is a marker not only of work I’ve done over the last three years but of friends I’ve made and (hopefully lifelong) partnerships I’ve created. I can’t wait!