updates, events, performances!
cape breton skies @ unionville hs
October 2024
This past October (2024), I had the lovely opportunity to work with Unionville High School before their performance of my work Cape Breton Skies as part of their 2024 Fall Celebration for the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation.
Marking a year after I finished Cape Breton Skies - to the day - this was the first time I was able to make it out to a performance of this piece and be spoiled with an evening of great band music; not only just by Unionville, also including fantastic playing from Bur Oak Secondary School, Markham District High School, Markville Secondary School, and Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School.
Thank you to Jeff Wrigglesworth and Unionville High School for welcoming me into your space to work with your ensemble and be part of an evening of great music!
Always grateful to be spoiled by such immense talent!
Thank you @uhsmusicupdates for your incredible performance of Cape Breton Skies and for welcoming me into your space to come crash your dress rehearsal!
To think I finished this piece a year ago (to the day!) and how far it’s come in a short time; from premiering it at Newmarket High School as a guest conductor, winning the Howard Cable Memorial Prize and having this work performed IN Nova Scotia by the National Youth Band of Canada, to tonight - I’m eternally thankful for all of the opportunities that have come so far ✨
thrill of adventure @ wasbe 2024
July 2024
My music made it over to Korea!?
As one of three finalists of my category in the 2024 WASBE International Composition Contest (slide 3 on the instagram post), part of the prize included a reading of my work at the 2024 WASBE Conference in Gwangju, Korea. Beautifully performed (sightread too!) by the Philharmonic Wind Orchestra of Singapore and organized by one of my idols - Jodie Blackshaw - hearing my music performed to this extent is truly magical!
Thanks to WASBE, Jodie Blackshaw, Colleen Richardson, and the Philharmonic Wind Orchestra of Singapore for making this happen!
Congratulations to all our esteemed finalists of the WASBE International Composition Contest V! 🎉
We are thrilled to announce the talented composers who have been selected as finalists across the different categories. Your compositions have stood out among the entries, showcasing exceptional creativity and artistry.
ultima 5000 @ oakville film festival
June 2024
I was very lucky to be able to work with longtime friend Sofia Mazzotta on her animated thesis film Ultima 5000 (through Sheridan Animation) to write the score and soundtrack! Sofia is incredibly talented and her film was included as part of the 2024 Oakville Film Festival as one of the short films selected to be presented.
workshop @ westmount
May 2024
At Westmount Music, I was led a workshop on composition. Through this workshop, I detailed my process of creating a work from start to finish, taught students notation software, and challenged them to create their own works. Listen to some of them here!
cape breton skies wins howard cable prize
April 2024
Truly an incredible honour.
Being able to be part of Canadian Band History is something that I've always dreamed of, and I'm very lucky to be part of the list of Howard Cable Memorial Prize in Composition winners alongside some of my greatest inspirations and well-established composers whose music I have played throughout my band journey.
Winning this title was extremely validating for me; I decided to reflect on what I was interested in pursuing compositionally: band music. After being denied performance opportunities since I was not a composition student, having my music be part of such a historic competition and title is definitely a moment in my composition journey I will cherish forever.
Performance by the National Youth Band of Canada
Incredibly honoured to finally announce that I am the winner of the @canadianbandassociation 2024 Howard Cable Memorial Prize in Composition for my work, “Cape Breton Skies”!
Many thanks to @nhsmusicyrdsb and @cherylclinemcarthur for allowing me to be part of an amazing experience, along with all of the CBA consortium members for making this contest possible!
To win the same title as one of my biggest inspirations, @composercait is truly awesome - not to mention we’re both @uoftmusic alum now!
Truly thrilled and eternally grateful ✨
world premiere: cape breton skies
December 13th, 2023
My first time conducting on stage!
Many thanks to the students of Newmarket High School and Cheryl Cline for allowing me to be part of your space and premiere my work, Cape Breton Skies. As my second-ever premiere, this was my first time having the opportunity to be on stage for a performance of one of my pieces!
With profound gratitude, this piece is dedicated to Newmarket High School and Cheryl Cline; for their invitation to step into their space, guest conduct, and premiere this enchanting composition on December 13th, 2023.
Thank you to all who attended our Winter Concert this year! ❄️⛄️ A special shoutout to our guest conductor, Griffin Hook (@griffinhmusic) - it was an honour to premiere Cape Breton Skies! 🌅🌌