Splice Festival vii

I am enamored by the immense inspiration I feel after attending SPLICE Festival VII. My work, “In the Time Between,” was selected for a 2 PM concert on Friday, March 6th, 2026. It was an honor to be featured among so many talented performers, composers, educators, and dancers. The perspective I gained through discussions, workshops, lectures, and performances reminded me that this art form is continuously thriving, and that there is a place for me within it.

Through this experience, I also recognized how often I have not felt safe making mistakes or being vulnerable as a classical trumpet player. There has always been a heightened pressure to achieve near perfection and to perform repertoire in a way that is pleasing to teachers, peers, conductors, and others in positions of authority. While spaces that encourage artistic freedom do exist, they often feel few and far between within classical brass culture. The rigid expectations surrounding what music should be in this genre can sometimes make it feel limiting to me.

I want to express myself based on the day, how I feel, the energy of the audience, and the spirit of the piece itself. I want to feel connected to what I am playing. That connection has become far more apparent to me through electroacoustic music than it ever was while performing traditional classical repertoire. I still deeply appreciate classical music, but my relationship with it has often been complicated by the environments surrounding it.

Let’s be honest. The brass world is still heavily cis hetero male dominated, and “bro” culture still exists. I have never fit that mold, nor have I ever wanted to. I dream of creating and existing in spaces surrounded by women, queer musicians, and POC artists who value openness, collaboration, and authenticity. The brass world needs more spaces where people can fully thrive, create freely, and build meaningful lifelong connections without fear of judgment.

As I move into a new era this summer, I reflect on how far I’ve come and feel grateful that the passions I carried for so long have finally surfaced and been supported in ways they never were before. There is something deeply meaningful about finding support while being fully authentic to yourself. When you allow yourself to do that openly, you ignite that same fire within others.

Thank you again, SPLICE FESTIVAL, for reminding me what self-worth and artistry can truly look like.