Performed by the University of Texas at Austin New Music Ensemble under Dr. Marc Sosnowchik.
WHERE I CAME FROM
For Pierrot Ensemble (Fl., Bb Cl., Vln., Vc., Prepared Piano), Percussion, and pre-programmed electronics (2024)
Spring of 2024, I came to my professor Yevgeniy Sharlat with an idea to write about being told “go back to where you came from” throughout my life, and the anxiety that comes with avoiding racial profiling in public settings. But, he respectfully challenged me, asking, “Why does this phrase, specifically, hurt so bad?” As we kept talking through that 50 minute lesson, I started to realize the core of the piece wasn’t the offensive phrase. The core of the piece was my upbringing, growing up in Thailand and America, and the beauty and ugliness behind both. As Prof. Sharlat and I traded stories of growing up abroad and in America, I started to realize this feeling of being unwelcomed in the U.S, yet also our home country, was the story of many bi-cultural Americans. I wanted this piece to be a brutally honest representation of my experiences in an all-too-common story.
With most of my music, I have a firm layout of a story before writing, but with this piece, I knew I needed more than just music; I needed the actual words I heard growing up, both beautiful and offensive. I wanted the dialogue to feel raw, as if I were telling a story to a friend, similar to the sound of modern-day podcasts and audiobooks. “Where I Came From” is not about the fear of an offensive phrase. It is about finding the beauty of uniqueness, through adversity, everyday.
Performed by Boris Allakhverdyan and Alin Melik-Adamyan.
CASCADES
For Bb Clarinet and Piano (2020)
Cascades is a piece that shows how a small, single character trait of a person can negatively overcome them, unknowingly. As the simple theme unravels, it can be interpreted as a mix of dark and light, almost simultaneously. As the piece progresses, it explores both ends of the spectrum of allowing a character trait to flanderize in a person. As the negative side is explored, it is quickly juxtaposed by lush, happy, textures as a symbolism for justification. The piece symbolizes how in our world, people are quick to justify their wrongs by the reason behind, and people tend to allow themselves to be overcome with their negative obsession by justifying their actions. In a piece disguised with light and happy sounds, as well as a seemingly innocent name, it holds a hidden dark meaning that serves as a metaphor for people in our world who justify their unhealthy obsessions and lead themselves to their downfall.
Performed by Jake Polson and Kevin Charoensri.
FLOWERING
For Flute and Piano (2023)
Combining jazz and classical styles, using the full range of the flute and acrobatics of both flute and piano, Flowering seeks to have a melody blossom and growing in different contexts, as both instruments have a playful, yet colorful tone.
Performed by Alvin Ho and Caleb Hu.
FLOURISH
For Trombone and Piano (2022)
In this style bending piece, where Chopin's influence on romanticism meets an intimate Latin, jazz and Flamenco tinge, Flourish seeks to bring to light the struggle of being an artist, in any form. The piece expresses the agony of working with writer’s block, negative comments, and the phrases it brings. The phases that are truly highlighted in this piece are the phases of feeling like one is 'losing touch' and/or losing their ability. But in the end, through agony, pain, and trials, the piece portrays a happy ending to the story where the artist finds their love again, and they simply just Flourish.
Performed by Ars Futura at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
BLOSSOM
For Piano Trio (2019)
Blossom draws its inspiration from those interactions that change life in an instance, connections with the power to create a magical, lifelong bond. Like a simple wave or conversation, they have the potential to connect others and to grow into something beautiful. These interactions can even bring people out of a dark place, serving as the catalyst for someone to pursue their dreams. When we look back on our lives, these connections are what we will remember the most because relationships with others are the most beautiful aspect of human life. But the only way we can seize this incredible ability is to start somewhere. Whether it’s a wave, or a conversation, or a moment with a friend, it’s the little things that make life Blossom.
Performed by Dominique Cox, Kevin Hulipas, Cori Trenczer, Sean Penzo, and Ian Collins at All Saints Chapel during the Sewanee Summer Musical Festival
ENAMORED
For Bb Clarinet and Low String Quartet (2022)
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