The Inspiration for Re-Inventions, a New-Age recording available on CD, Vinyl, Hi-res streaming formats I invite you to listen as you read... Like so many of you, in early Spring 2020, I was confined to home due to the pandemic. Isolated, but also inspired by the gift of time, I reached into my treasure trove of sheet music, where I discovered long-lost friends—classical piano scores that have always [...]
When we were children, my sister and I sat in our chairs, staring at the portable record player, completely mesmerized by the sounds that wafting through the air. We were listening to "Peter Pan." My sister, aged 5, memorized the entire record, and was able to recite it by heart for her Kindergarten class, playing all the parts, and singing all the songs. My favorite part was when we, [...]
It's album release week and I wanted to take a moment to thank the vendors and people behind the scenes who have helped me get the music out there with a splash!First and foremost, Sticker Mule! Sticker Mule is a company that creates all kinds of fun things---stickers, buttons, custom labels, packaging. I have, over the years, used their services to create complementary products and promotional items like the ones [...]
In the first few weeks of quarantine, I did a lot of house cleaning, organizing, sorting. The next month or so I complained that my life was so disrupted, and mourned that shows were being cancelled. In the third month, I found myself mourning colleagues who had died of COVID-19 and offering comfort to friends and family who were sick. And then some real change [...]
While on concert tour in China this past summer, I ventured with my husband and our young translator to a dressmaker in Hangzhou. I brought along a few concert dresses that fit well, but had seen better days. I was told that one could buy custom made suits, blouses and dresses in China for less than half the price in the States, and that the workmanship could not be [...]
I am easily distracted. And I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing. Some of the most distracted people I know are very productive. Instead of describing myself as "easily distracted," I prefer to think of myself as someone who enjoys letting the small things in. Concentration might very well be overrated. A bird's song might interrupt my piano practice, but in a good way----the bird's song ends [...]
Our minds remember the grand events--the life cycle events--births, deaths, wedding days, graduation days. But what about the magic that happens on a daily basis in life's smaller moments? What about the events of our every day lives that are amazing, life-affirming, tender...but maybe not so memorable, simply because they were not 'grand'? These are the moments that inspire me most to compose music. Something I know [...]
Hi Everyone, Welcome to my brand spanking new web site, designed by my friend and colleague John Albert Thomas. John is a talented pianist/composer in his own right and can write code. How impressive is that? This new site allows you to listen to my music on any streaming platform, pay via credit cards (no need for Paypal account if you don’t have one), and allows for international shipping. There are lots [...]
I saw a post by a friend of mine tonight on social media. She is a writer and had a book signing event/Q&A scheduled at a local library. Apparently no one showed up. So she went home after 20 minutes of waiting. This led to a whole series of questions in her mind I am sure--about her talents, her worthiness, her success. I posted my own words of encouragement [...]
At least on this one. Inspired by a post I saw on Pinterest, I decided to do something with all my loose change from foreign countries. Now my foreign coins are out of my bottom drawer and on display as a reminder of my travels. You will need: -canvas from a craft store (I chose 11 x 14), foreign coins, string for the "tree," glue, gold or copper paint, [...]
Sometimes it feels like everything I am doing is a distraction from something else, but perhaps that is because I am plate spinner. Just this afternoon, I went outside to take the trash out, and noticed a few weeds in the garden bed. Before I knew it, I was donning my gardening gloves and pecking at those weeds until they were gone, gone, gone. But then I noticed some more in [...]
Our 13 year old cat Tilly is an "indoor cat," but occasionally enjoys a little saunter in the garden outside my office. In her own cat-like way, Tilly asked to go out. I opened the door and she stepped out into the world.Then she changed her mind. I understand how Tilly felt. I lived in Manhattan for nine years and sometimes fantasize about moving back. The restaurants, the theater, [...]
On Friday, my 18th recording quietly launched into the world. And that was kind of perfect, because the recording itself is quiet, subtle, and filled with nuance. A few months ago, I dared to allow the recording engineer to hit the record button while I dreamed up piano improvisations with the intention of quieting my own worries, and those of anyone else who might later listen to my musings. [...]
"In the weeds" was cocktail waitress speak for pre-Broadway hour. Back in the 1980's, my shift began at 4pm with the lighting and distribution of candles on small round glass tables in the Broadway Lounge of the Marriott. The lounge sported a view of Times Square and it was moving. Literally. The room moved. It was one of those 360 rooms that slowly, ever so slowly rotated so that each [...]
It’s “Finals Week” at the university. Today wraps my first year as a college professor and I can honestly say I liked the gig. As I write this, my students are taking their final exam in my “International Music Industry” class. We covered trends in the music business around the world: music consumption, censorship, the ins and outs of live touring, technological advancements. How and why do I know this [...]
