I am thrilled to announce that I was selected as the recipient of the 2017-18 Illumine Commissioning Prize. The commission is granted by the ensemble illumine, a Philadelphia-based trio that believes in an intimate, comfortable concert experience that consistently engages the whole audience. The commission is for a new work for mezzo-soprano, violin and piano to be delievered and performed during the 2018 concert season. The ensemble is a total family affair made up of husband and wife Kaitlyn Michelle Waterson-mezzo-soprano and David Matthew Brown-violin, and David's mother Jodie Levine-Brown-piano. I am looking forward to working with this vibrant ensemble in the creation of a new work for 2018.

I am traveling on Wednesday August 2nd to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a 10-day residency at the Wyoming Festival-New Music in the Mountains. I was selected as a compostion fellow for this years' event, which is held each year at Grand Teton National Park. I have written a new work - Carmina solis et lunae - a string trio, which will be workshopped and premiered during the festival. Performing will be violinst Holly Mulcahy, violist Anna Krueger and bassist Rick Barber. I am one of six composition fellows who will be in attendance at the festival, which is held in the rustic confines of the historic AMK Ranch in the national park.

I have begun work on an independent opera project entitled The Bird Lady, which has evolved for a set of two art songs that I wrote with lyricists Linda Marcus and Julie Meyers. The libretto is by author, lyricist, songwriter Germaine Shames. So far it has gone well, but writing an opera is a very long and slow process, so don't expect to see anything from it for a while. I'll keep you posted.

And finally, I am hoping to wrap up my GoFundMe campaign by the end of the summer. I have been disappointed with the lack of support I have received on this project. I know there are lots of great causes to support out there, but just a little bit of support from a few people can go a long way in helping someone reach their goals. If you can see your way clear to helping out even in the smallest way, it would be greatly appreciated. Click HERE to learn more about my campaign and to make a donation. THANK YOU!!