Solo and Chamber Music

Affirmations

For Piano and Bass Drum | Duration: 4’00

Affirmations, the third movement of Soul Food: Exploring the Black Experience through Inherited Traditions, speaks to the need for belonging in a world that often sidelines Black voices. Here, affirmations declare our worth, resilience, and right to occupy space. In a society that may try to diminish us, these words are a powerful reminder: as we live, we are worthy, we are whole, and we will always belong.

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.

Awaken

For String Quartet | Duration: 3’00

Awaken, commissioned by the Young Artist Chamber Music Collective, is designed as a joyful and accessible introduction to chamber music for beginner string players. This piece offers students an opportunity to build ensemble skills, explore key changes, and develop their technique in a collaborative setting. The music unfolds like a story—starting as a quiet seed and gradually blossoming into a vibrant, melodic quartet. It’s a celebration of growth, connection, and the magic of making music together.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In Their Footsteps

For Solo Flute | Duration: 6’30

In Their Footsteps, the second movement of Soul Food: Exploring the Black Experience through Inherited Traditions, reflects on the individual journey of learning from and contributing to the legacy of Black Americans. Treading carefully, learning from past mistakes, and taking the time to really study and acknowledge your own history. In thinking of the prejudice and hate that so many generations of Black Americans have overcome, it is in their footsteps that I have learned to face my own hurdles head-on and keep moving forward.

Soul Searchin’

For Solo Piano | 3’00

Soul Searchin', the sixth movement of Soul Food: Exploring the Black Experience through Inherited Traditions, provides another moment of reflection within the collection. In writing this movement, I thought deeply about the purpose of my journey and how it connects to Black tradition. It acts as a forward-looking meditation on how to honor the past while paving the way for future generations, saying, "How can I carry this torch to create a better world for those who come after?"

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.

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.