Steps into the Mouse's Lair

Echo of a Raindrop - From Within the Cave

This is my most recent large orchestral composition and the winner of the Illinois Young Composer Contest (First Place, February 2025). Written during the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO) Composition Symposium (2023–24) lead by Eric Malmquist, the piece was brought to life in a live reading by the CYSO Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Kenny Lee. I’m deeply grateful to them for the opportunity to develop and hear this work performed.

The piece evokes a scene in which a traveler takes refuge in a cave as a storm begins. Dripping water (represented by claves), echoing reverberations (mirrored in wide string passages), and the distant sounds of thunder (timpani) and rain (wind instruments) gradually build. The music moves from quiet solitude to a flourishing of sound and activity, then gently returns to stillness. This final calm carries a deeper sense of meaning, shaped by the storm's energy and transformation. 

Frozen Velvet - Lost but not Forgotten

Written during my second year in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Composition Symposium, this string quartet tells the story of a glove lost in the wintertime, but still remembered by its owner. The piece debuted on December 3, 2023, in a live reading by the talented musicians of 5th Wave Collective, to whom I am deeply grateful. 

Calico - And Whispers at Night

Created in October 2023, this piece began as a flute and oboe duet designed for my YouTube channel banner (and is featured at the top of this page). As the music evolved, I added bassoon to complete the trio. The piece blends the grace and mystery of my favorite type of cat. I hope to record it with friends in the future. Inspired by this track from Sky (video game) here.

Spring Swing Boogie

The Indie Film Music Contest does an excellent job of curating short films and giving budding composers opportunities to score them. I participated in their 2023 Summer contest and scored the film Outdrawn using a DAW. I especially loved the last minute of the film (the end credits), so I notated that section and developed it into a stand-alone piece that could be performed. That version won First Place in the 2023 August Jazz, Boogie, and Rag Competition through the International Young Musicians Contest (IYMC). The organization provided excellent feedback and an opportunity to revise and resubmit, which then earned IYMC 2nd Runner Up, Artist of the Year 2023. View my score for the film Outdrawn here. 

Violet Forest - A Color not Seen

My first orchestral piece!

This is the second work I created using MuseScore during my participation in CYSO's Composition Symposium (2022-23). It was played by the CYSO Philharmonic Orchestra May 5, 2023. In the fall, a small group of musicians from my school district rehearsed and recorded it with the help from VJA music director Mark Iwinski.

Sweet Lemon - Best Tasted on its Own

Sweet Lemon, (originally entitled Gypsy Leaf) is my first ever notated composition, and is a Wind Quintet. I created this with MuseScore while participating in 2022-23 CYSO's Composition Symposium, a nine-month program directed by Dr. Eric Malmquist. This piece was performed by the 5th Wave Collective in Dec 4, 2022.