Very happy to say that I've just completed a new piece for Trumpet and Piano called BAJA MIDNIGHT.    

This piece has been a dream to work on with my colleague Dr. Daniel Kelly, who commissioned this piece.  He has asked that the piece be inspired by Film Noir, which has been a very fruitful source of inspiration for me.   I imagined the uniquely dark black and white lighting of classic Film Noir cinematography styles and tried to reflect that in the music.  Throughout the score, I have various scenes that create a narrative for the music (one of my favorite poetic aspects of composing).  Examples include sections marked "Smoke", "Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow" and "Silk Stocking" 

So far, I've received wonderful feedback from this collaborative effort and I'm looking forward to how this new project will unfold!  

This piece will be premiered in January 2023!  Stay Tuned! 

Hello everyone! 

Welcome to Blog entry Number 1!  The 2022 teaching year has recently ended and I am beginning a new creative project.  I am currently a 34 weeks pregnant, alongside spending the majority of my time as a composer and academic.  I am discovering that pregnancy is unique in an academic environment and I thought I'd share my experiences in hopes that it may enlighten and encourage the wide variety of experiences women have when working in the arts and other academic disciplines.   

Over the past two years, women's issues (especially women composers) have received more and more attention.  Most of this attention is focused on representing women composers in the concert hall and commissions.   This blog is built in that same spirit of caregiving, inclusion and representation.  

I hope you enjoy following me through this experience and, as always, I appreciate your encouragement and support!  - JB