I first started writing music when I was fourteen and haven't been able to stop since. As a cellist and pianist, I've been exposed to a lot of classical music, and, as a result, it has influenced my own style. Additionally, playing the saxophone has exposed me to jazz. And, as an avid listener of a broad variety of contemporary music, there's no doubt that new composers and artists have influenced my style and approach to writing.
In addition to writing contemporary music in my free time, I've attended a number of classical composition summer programs (Northwestern High School Music Institute in summer 2006 and the Tanglewood Institute in summer 2007).
At Tanglewood, I was inspired by the beautiful setting of the Berkshires and wrote "Reflections on Nature," a two part piano trio. Movement One, entitled "Rainstorm," was inspired by a awe-inspiring summer storm, movement Two, "Stars," by simply staring at the heavens one perfectly clear night.
On the contemporary side of things, I wrote "Dust Angels" as a tribute to a family who lost a husband and father in the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. Every year, the mother and son release a white balloon as a tribute. Theirs is a very touching story, and my song is an attempt to honor them and their lost one. I was delighted last year when "Dust Angels" was selected to appear on a compilation CD, "All States All Stars," produced by Music for Troops, and was (and still is being) sold to raise money for our troops in the Middle East, along with other artists' music from around the country.
More recently, i've been working on an EP that I plan to release soon, and I'm so excited about it! To me, it is a snapshot of who I am as a singer-songwriter right now, and I hope you guys enjoy it!
~Jess
