I Have Been a Stranger in a Strange Land (2023)

for solo singing-violist

In the fall semester of 2022, violist and now my dear friend Illana McNamara, reached out to me and asked if I would want to create a piece for their senior recital, where she sang and played the viola at the same time. Enthusiastically, we jumped right in to the creative process. We met almost every week, working on this, and knew from the beginning that we would incorporate movement in the piece; as such, in the next several months that followed, we created this work involving Illana moving through seven sections of the space. Ideally, this choreography can translate to many different spaces (inside and out!). As we discussed the text,—poem by Rita Dove—we began to explore the feelings of loneliness, longing, freedom of the self/mind, and wild feminine energy.

Premiered by Illana McNamara, on April 19th in Fairchild Chapel, Oberlin OH.

With text by Rita Dove. (For education purposes only).

Endings are New Beginnings (2022)

for cello trio

Endings are New Beginnings was written in response to a close friendship falling apart and eventually ending. What I learned from this situation and as suggested in the title, endings are just new beginnings; a door opened to a new journey of–for me–self discovery. The instrumentation of three cellos opened up endless possibilities for exploring sound worlds, extended techniques, and complex textures. My favorite quality about the cello is that it’s one of the closest instruments to the voice, and I thought that this tone would be the perfect balance for the deep emotions of sorrow, dread, and loneliness I was going through at the time.

First movement premiered by Oberlin Conservatory cellists on Wednesday, November 2nd @4:30pm in the Birenbaum.

Cellists: Ben Rodriguez, Daniel Knapp, and Diana Reid

In the Eyes of the Beloved (2021)

for voice, alto flute, acoustic guitar, and cello

Written during the summer of 2021 for the Walden Young Musician’s Program, in Dublin, NH.

Performed by members of the International Contemporary Ensemble and the Walden School Players:

Performers:
Emi Ostrom, mezzo-soprano
Laura Cocks, alto flute
Kittie Cooper, acoustic guitar
Chris Wild, cello

Zafaron va Anar (2020-2021)

for percussion quartet

Following my curiosity in the Persian language, I discovered many colloquial sayings that sparked familiar memories from my childhood. “Jeegaré man-ee” [Movement 1] directly translates to “you are my liver” which is one of the most endearing greetings you say to someone who you love very much. Dancing into “Moosh bokhoradet” [Movement 2] meaning “a mouse should eat you,” is a way of saying you are so cute; my aunts and uncles open the door reaching out to pinch my cheeks. My uncles teased me by saying“Dozāreet oftād” [Movement 3] which means “the coin didn’t take”, originating from telephone booths rejecting a coin. Persians use this expression as a metaphor to say “finally, you get the joke!” Each movement explores one persian rhythm that represents the sayings above. I invite you to step into my home: 

 

~I grew up enjoying family gatherings where people sang, others danced, and music brought everyone together. In my imagination, these gatherings are colored in pomegranate reds and saffron yellows, tables overflowing with my Grandmother’s “jeweled rice,” Qheymeh stew, gaz nougat, and Persian rhythms vibrating throughout the evening.~

Have You EverWondered What the Moon Smells Like? (2020)

for full orchestra

The Vixen Hunts (2020)

for solo clarinet in Bb

Originally written for the 2020 Sunset Chamberfest, mentored by Carolyn Chen.

Clarinetist: Sérgio Coelho

Oyogu iruka (2019)

for sixteen choral singers

Written during the 2019-2020 LA Phill Nancy and Barry Sanders Composer Fellowship Program, under the mentorship of Andrew Norman, Sarah Gibson and Thomas Kotcheff.

Premiered and recorded by members of the LA Master Chorale.