Essays
Long-form writing on music, sound, culture, composition, listening, and human life.
Mongolian Throat Singing: The Voice as a Portal to Nature and Spirit
Imagine a voice that doesn’t just sing but transforms into a complex kaleidoscope of tones—a deep, grounding drone with high, ethereal overtones spiraling above. This is the world of Mongolian…
Aboriginal Music: Sound as Connection, Memory, and Map
Aboriginal music, particularly that of the Indigenous peoples of Australia, embodies a profound integration of art, spirituality, and the natural world. At its heart lies a connection to the land…
Indian Classical Music: A Journey Through Time, Emotion, and Structure
In Indian classical music, every performance feels like stepping into a vast, timeless landscape where melody and rhythm are not merely companions but co-creators. At the heart of this tradition…
Time, Quality, Intention: Returning to the Essence of Music
There was an evening in Florence that feels as vivid now as the moment it happened. It was a night of rain, the kind that hushes a city, softening its…
Native American Powwow Music: A Journey into Communal Sound and Structure
Powwow music is a vibrant tradition rooted in the intertribal gatherings of Native American nations, drawing from centuries-old ceremonial and social dances. Although modern Powwows became widespread in the early…
Thai Music: A World Without Standard Tuning
In music composition, tuning and scales are more than technical choices; they are the foundation upon which sound itself is structured. In many musical cultures, tuning shapes not only the…
The Power of the Home-Away-Home Structure in Art and Life
Western music often feels like a story unfolding in sound. It begins with a theme, a key, a harmony that sets the stage—our musical home. From there, we venture outward.…
Finding Quiet Within Noise
Introduction This is the story of Haku, a middle-aged composer and performer who finds himself overwhelmed by the relentless soundscape of modern city life. Once inspired by the rhythms of…
The Art of Sound: How I Navigated Music Theory, Composition, and Performance
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition was one of the most fulfilling and transformative experiences of my life. It wasn’t just about becoming a better musician; it…
Music and Healing: A Global Investigation
The first time I really heard about music truly healing people wasn’t until college. Before that, I had played music and felt it’s power, but never was it articulated as…