Recently back in Baltimore, I am happy to join the music theory faculty of the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University this academic year.

This fall, I am teaching an undergraduate theory course on twentieth century musical practice along with a graduate theory seminar, Music Since 1945, which explores a theme of "clarity and complexity." The spring semester will bring with it another undergraduate theory course, The Music and Influence of Jean Sibelius.

I expect a fun and musical year ahead!

This year, I served as a visiting professor of music theory and composition at St. Olaf College. In residence for the school's Interim and Spring terms, I enjoyed teaching a number of courses in music theory and aural skills, composition, and electronic music. An enormously rewarding experience, the students at St. Olaf never failed to impress with their musical talent, creativity, and academic performance.

The opportunity to mentor such promising young musicians was a true privilege; I expect to hear many of these fine young musicians again as they find professional success beyond their studies.

After four wonderful years in beautiful Minneapolis, I am now based in the Charm City: Baltimore, Maryland.

A true highlight of my time in Minnesota came in my last hours there: five wonderful days of musical collaboration and exploration in a residency with Zeitgeist thanks to the support of the Jerome Foundation.

Inspired to pursue a different – for me! – creative tack, my time with the ensemble resulted in a fledgling movement, ... like an immobile procession..., that marries notated and improvisational elements. With a plaintive and ruminative sound world, soft drones give way to a turbulent, tolling articulation of musical and emotional stasis.

Insomuch as this work represents a compositional departure, it also clearly articulates the ethos of my music. Kudos to Zeitgeist for such a liberating and enlightening experience; seldom are composers afforded the chance to speak through such insightful interpreters! Please feel free to listen to a performance of ... like an immobile procession... recorded live at Studio Z in St. Paul here.

Finally, this fall I joined the Department of Performing Arts at American University where I will teach theory and musicianship courses in AU's beautiful Katzen Center for the Arts.

Another year, another ASCAP standard award for my musical activities.

Newly available, listen to a performance of Columnar Fragments at the soundSCAPE 2009 festival in Pavia, Italy here.

You can also hear a performance from the Music09 festival in Blonay, Switzerland at the above link, or view a "guerilla" video of the performance on YouTube here.