A perennial student, I enjoy learning about the world through music, and this inspires my creative work. Although I often write music for the concert hall, I’ve always nurtured a body of work that defies genres, bridging theater, media and dance. I make large-scale dream pieces that may best be described as music-theater, but always have their primary impetus in movement. Before I was a composer, I worked as a musical clown, using musical gesture to create physical comedy.
VIEW BY TYPE:
dance | original theater
recordings | orchestral
FILM | performance
2023
FRETLESS BLUES – for fretless banjo and harmonica
Commissioned by Choreographer Louisa Miller
2022
MAMIE TILL READS THE FBI REPORT – for Voice and Piano, with clapping dancers
Commissioned by Spectrum Dance Theater Choreographed by choreographer Donald Byrd
BREATHING TUNES – for four accordions
Commissioned by Bachtopus Ensemble
2021
AZAZME SONGS – for String Quartet and Oud
Commissioned by the Mivos String Quartet
LETTER FROM WOODY for Orchestra and Harmonica
Text from the letters of Woody Guthrie Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra
2020
HOW THEY BROKE AWAY
Opera film, Composed and Directed by Andy Teirstein Text by Carl Sandberg Produced by Animal Stone Productions
2019
Broke
Choreographic Workshop with Director/Choreographer Donald Byrd Iris Arts Center, Accord, NY
2018
VASILISA THE BEAUTIFUL
Music for Chorus. Words by Lila Palmer. National Opera Center
2017
I HEARD YOU WERE LOOKING FOR ME
Music for Symphony Orchestra, Fretless Banjo, Gyil, Gonje, and Kologo Commissioned by the Ghana National Symphony Orchestra
2016
Piano Assymetries
Ten pieces for solo piano
2015
Secrets of the North
For actor, two dancers, string quartet, nyckelharpa, concertina and Mouth harp.
Incidental music to a story by Isak Dinesen, The Sailor-Boy's Tale. Commissioned by the Hudson Valley Festival of the Arts, with assistance from New York University. Premiere: The Mohonk Mountain House.
The Vagabonds
Chamber music composed for strings, winds, brass, marimba and cimbalom, with Mixed Chors and Actors, and full-screen projections. Inpired by the writings and illumiations of poet William Blake. Commissioned by LABA, Excerpt premiered at the Theater at the 14th Street Y, NYC
2014
The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek
Music for the play by Naomi Wallace. Directed by Sabrina Peck. Brooklyn College
Rhinoceros
Music for the play by Eugene Ionesco. Directed by Greta Baker. Eastern Correctional Facility.
Wharf music
Music for an art installation by Rick Ehrsten. Rockport, Maine
2013
A BLESSING ON THE MOON
A first draft of Acts I and II was presented at the "Chutzpah! Festival of the Performing Arts" in Vancouver, Canada in 2012. Opera based on the novel by Joseph Skibell. A concert presentation of Act III was sponsored by Emory University and New York University in May, 2013, and hosted by the Emory Center for Ethics and Atlanta Opera, Directed by Bob McGrath.
SNOW FALLING ON WATER
Commissioned by Buglisi Dance Theater. The Joyce Theater, NYC
2012
A BLESSING ON THE MOON
"Chutzpah! Festival of the Performing Arts" in Vancouver, Canada in 2012.
RESTLESS NATION
The Cassatt String Quartet. Hayden Planetarium, NYC
2011
LETTER FROM WOODY
A 17-minute piece for orchestra, folk singer, and dancer. Based on a letter from legendary folk balladeer Woody Guthrie to Marha Graham dancer Marjorie Mazia
2010
RESTLESS NATION
Composed for the Cassatt String Quartet. Premiere Feb 25th, 2010 Symphony Space, New York
2009
SHAPES IN BRASS
Composed for choreography by Diane Coburn Bruning. Premiere: New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Dance Department Theater, November
2008
THREE MOVEMENTS FOR STRING QUARTET AND FOLK MUSICIAN
Composed for the Cassatt Quartet
2007
THE SHOOTING OF DAN MCGREW
A Melodrama for Piano, Chamber ensemble, and narrator, based on the Robert Service poem. (Publisher: Animal Stone Productions, 2007)
TURN ME LOOSE
Piano Trio. Premiered at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Feb, 2007, by The Alaria Ensemble (Yuri Vodovoz, Vn, Diliana Momthilovna, Vc, Nancy Garniez, Pno.) (Publisher: Animal Stone Productions, 2007)
2006
THROW PEOPLE
Choreographed by Chris Elam. Premiere May, 2006, PS 122, NYC. Incidental music for soprano sax (Peck Allmond), marimba (Diana Herold), Mandolin, harmonicas, and bowed psaltry (the composer).
2005
ORIGINAL THEATER WORKS
BEYOND THE MIRROR
Theatrical Score. Bond Street Theater Coalition, Premiere, Theater for the New City, NYC, Feb, 2005.
SOON OF A MORNIN
Music Director, Arranger. The Lions Theater, NYC 2005
KOPANITZA
Duo for Violin and Viola. Premiered at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, performed by Yuri Vodovoz, violin, and Andy Teirstein, viola. (Publisher: Animal Stone Productions, 2005)
INVENTION FOR SIX INSTRUMENTS
Instrumentation: Violin, Cello, Flute, Oboe, Mandolin, Guitar. Premiered by the Cygnus Ensemble, Elebash Recital Hall, New York City, March 2005 (Animal Stone Productions, 2005)
THE WELCOME TABLE
Composition for Viola. Recorded by the composer. Directed/Choreographed by Marta Renzi for Digital Video Disc
2004
MUSIC FOR DANCE
ACCUSTOMED TO TRAVELLING
Composed for performance by singer Naaz Hosseini (formerly of Meredith Monks Company, The House,) and violist Andy Teirstein. Choreographed by Jim Martin. Text: Mahmoud Darwish. Premiered at NYU Tisch School of the Arts Dance Faculty Workshop. November, 2004
TRACES OF BRUSH
Commissioned by Temple University for Choreographer Kun yang Lin
Premiere The Yard, Chilmark, Ma, 2004
MEN IN SUITS
Commissioned by Chris Elam. Premiere 2004, PS 122, New York City
WHO WILL ROLL AWAY THE STONE?
Commissioned by Mary Seidman. Premiered 2004, Merce Cunningham Studio
2003
MUSIC FOR DANCE
HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON
Choreographed by Cherylyn Lavagnino. Premiered 2003 New York University
2002
MUSIC FOR DANCE
UNEASY DANCES
Commissioned by The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange. Premiere - Danspace, New York City.
ORIGINAL THEATER WORKS
THE ALAMO PIECE
Music - INTAR Theater, NYC 2002
2001
MUSIC FOR FILM
THE MINDS JOURNEY
Documentary, MUSE Film and Television, 2001
A LITTLE TOUR OF MANHATTAN
Producer/Director Alister Sanderson, 2001
WELCOME TO WILLIEWORLD
WillieWorld Productions, Dir. Scott Saunders, 2001
RECORDINGS
WELCOME TO WILLIEWORLD
Animal Stone Productions, 2001
2000
MUSIC FOR DANCE
HALLELUJAH
Commissioned by The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange and the University of Arizona. Premiere - Centennial Hall, Tucson, AZ. March, 2000
ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
LANDSCAPE CHANGING
American Composers Forum Continental Harmony Commission. Wa, 2000
RECORDINGS
WINTER MAN
Animal Stone Productions, 2000
1999
RECORDINGS
MARAMURES
MMC Orchestral Miniatures, Vol. IV. Released January 1999
1998
MUSIC FOR DANCE
PAR TERRE
Commissioned by Terry Creach and Dancers. Premiere - Wave Hill, 1998
1997
MUSIC FOR FILM
MEN
BBC, 1997-Choreography by Victoria Marks.
MARGARET SANGER
Documentary for PBS, 1997-8.
ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
MARAMURES
Viola Concerto. Recorded by the Czech Radio Symphony for Master Musicians, 1997
1996
MUSIC FOR DANCE
THE BEAST
Commissioned by Donald Byrd/The Group. Premiere- BAM Majestic Theater, NYC April, 1996
RHAPSODY FOR BOY SOPRANO AND STRINGS
Commissioned by Stephen Petronio Danco Co., Inc. Premiere - The Joyce Theater, NYC April, 1996
MUSIC FOR FILM
MASTERS OF SPACE
Documentary pilot on Chinese Scroll Painting. RM Prods, 1996
ORIGINAL THEATER WORKS
THE WILD
Book, Music - La MaMa E.T.C., NYC, 1996. Loosely based on the journals of Thoreau and Defoes Robinson Crusoe.
RECORDINGS
RHAPSODY FOR BOY SOPRANO AND STRINGS THE BEAST
1995
MUSIC FOR DANCE
DEADLY SINS
Commissioned by Phyllis Lamhut. Premiere-Dance Theater Workshop, NYC March, 1995
ORIGINAL THEATER WORKS
FLOATING RHODA AND THE GLUE MAN
Music - Home for Cont. Theater, 1995. Book by Eve Ensler.
WINTER MAN
Book, Music - La MaMa E.T.C., 1995. Winner of 1993 and 1991 NEA Opera-Musical Theater Fellowships.
ACTING/PERFORMANCE
WOODY GUTHRIE'S AMERICAN SONG
Actor/Musician - English Theater, Vienna, Austria 95
1994
MUSIC FOR FILM
THORN WEB FOR IRENE
Olga Hiiva, Director. 1994
1993
MUSIC FOR FILM
THE WEST
PBS Mini-series. Music consultant and contributing composer, 1993-6
RECORDINGS
MANNAHATTA
Animal Stone Productions 1993
1992
ORIGINAL THEATER WORKS
COYOTE ROAD
Music - Premiere-Mad River Theater Works, Ohio, 1992
1989
MUSIC FOR FILM
THE SYSTEM WORKS
Dan Walworth, Director, 1989
1985
MUSIC FOR FILM
DINOSAUR
Uriel Grunfeld, Director, 1985
1984
ORIGINAL THEATER WORKS
PAPUSHKO
Book, Music, and Lyrics - Premiere at the Collonades Theater, NYC, 1984. A full-length original musical with a cast of 11. Winner of the 1984 Richard Rodgers Award.
1982
ACTING/PERFORMANCE
SOPHIE'S CHOICE
Feature Film. "Bert" (small principle) 1982
SEARCH FOR TOMORROW
Daytime serial-Appeared in five episodes, 1982
BARNUM
Member of original Broadway cast, 1980-82
1979
ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
SCARECROW
Premiered by the Sage City Symphony, Vermont, 1979