Awards/Competitions
Winner, 2025 Lamont Solo Honors Competition; Finalist, 2025 Round Top Chamber Competition; Winner, 2023 Ithaca College Concerto Competition
Appearances
Round Top Festival Institute, 2025; Aspen Music Festival and School, 2023
What is your earliest memory of classical music?
My earliest memory of classical music is seeing Fiddler on the Roof with my mother and I was absolutely mesmerized by the clarinet solo during the wedding scene. I was about four or five years old at the time and remember it very vividly. It definitely impacted my decision to pick the clarinet!
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
My undergraduate teacher at Ithaca College, Dr. Richard Faria, was one of the most influential people not only in my musical career but in my life. He taught me a lot about patience, character, and artistry that I will carry with me my entire life. A particular quote that has stuck with me was “you can choose how you want to react to things”, which reframed my entire outlook on setbacks and frustrations. I am deeply thankful for his guidance.
What made you decide to become a musician? Was there a particular performance or person that influenced your decision?
When debating what field I wanted to go into when I was a junior in high school, I narrowed it down to medicine or music. I quickly realized that I would not be fulfilled doing anything other than music when I joined the Worcester Youth Symphony near my hometown, and it was a done deal from there.
How did you hear about TŌN? What inspired you to apply?
I heard about TŌN through the grapevine at various summer programs and when it was time to apply it was a clear frontrunner. Out of all of my potential programs, TŌN aligned most with my vision for what classical music performance should look like.
How would you like to see orchestra concerts evolve in the future?
Orchestras need to adapt to the times. Many of us love playing the classics, and many listeners still enjoy it, but modern, creative programming has to happen. I would like to see more movie concerts, children’s programming, affordable ticketing, and more diversity in composer representation.
What is the most memorable performance you ever had?
Playing The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with the Colorado Symphony and a full choir AND children’s choir behind us was an incredible experience. It was a much-needed refresher that reaffirmed my passion for orchestral performance at a time when I was quite stressed about excerpts and auditions. It also featured one of the coolest moments I have ever seen in classical music: when a spotlight went on the soloist in the children’s choir after over two hours of film and the audience packed with people in full cosplay went absolutely wild.
What is your proudest achievement as a musician?
My proudest achievement as a musician was getting my passion project, the Massachusetts Modern Music Retreat, off the ground and running two years in a row (going into our third this summer!) The Massachusetts Modern Music Retreat is a nonprofit arts organization that centers accessibility, innovation, and community through our goal to provide pre-professional classical musicians with affordable, high-level, contemporary music experiences.
Can you share any memorable onstage mishaps?
The funniest thing to ever happen to me during a performance was when I was playing the Nielsen Clarinet Concerto at my junior recital. I realized I needed to swab my instrument during a lengthy instrumental break. When I went to take my ligature off, it flew halfway across the concert hall and into the audience. I calmly walked off stage while the pianist was still playing, grabbed my ligature, and went to swab- only for the swab to not be in my pocket anymore! I laughed, shrugged, and got my ligature back on with barely enough time to make my entrance.
Do you have a favorite non-classical musician or band?
I love the music of Christopher Larkin, composer of the soundtracks of the video games Hollow Knight and Silksong.
What is the biggest challenge and/or surprise about playing in an orchestra?
The toughest part of playing in an orchestra for me always happens when it’s my first time playing in the group. Quickly learning how everyone blends, their tendencies, and even their own individual personalities is an exciting yet challenging part of orchestral performance for me.
What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
Be kind to yourself and others, it will carry you most of the way.
What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
I wish I knew that the only person I should be competing against is myself. I was a wreck comparing myself to other people in high school and my first year of undergrad.