I am working on two newly commissioned pieces this summer. Both pieces will be premiered in late 2008 and I'm tremendously excited about both opportunities.

First is a short (not-quite-concerto) piano solo with orchestra for the New York Youth Symphony. The soloist will be Hao Chen Zhang and it will be conducted by Ryan McAdams. Ryan McAdams is a phenomenal musician and conductor who conducted a piece of mine at Juilliard in 2005 when we both went to school there. It will be an honor to work with him again and to have a piece premiered by Hao Chen Zhang and the NYYS. The work will be premiered at Carnegie Hall on November 30th.

Next will be a concerto for electric guitar, electric bass, keyboards, drum set, and orchestra, to be played by the group Electric Kompany and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra conducted by Liza Grossman. Electric Kompany is an exciting new ensemble and I've been hoping to work with the group ever since I became aware of them last summer. I used to play in the Contemporary Youth Orchestra and have had two pieces performed by the orchestra in the past, with the enormously supportive music director, Liza Grossman, conducting. CYO was instrumental in piquing my interest in new music in high school, and it's always a pleasure to return to my roots and work with the orchestra again. The work will be premiered at Cleveland State University on December 13th.

I'll also be attending the Composers Conference at Wellesley College at the end of July, so this should be a busy summer!

More updates as things progess. Until then, I really should be composing.