For me, my identity as an asexual, aromantic, and genderqueer individual is the most important element of my creative process and artistic identity. As a queer composer, every work I compose carries some element of my lived experience as a part of the community. Some more overtly than others. As a folklorist and mythologian, I explore and seek inspiration from the parallels of the queer identity and many figures from different folktales and mythologies from across the world. I am interested in showing how these lived experiences can be translated into the familiar for those outside of queer identities. The material I most frequently draw from is Irish folklore and mythology, drawing upon my own heritage as someone of Irish descent, but not an Irish-American.

    Electronics and synthesis are a major element of my compositional practice. Whether it is the exploration of recreating electronic elements in a purely acoustic setting or working with performers to create new electroacoustic works with live processing or fixed media, the vast orchestrational potential of electronics is an exciting prospect for each new project I create. A particular interest of mine is creating works where all of the electronic synthesis is derived from material that the live performer is playing; interweaving the acoustic and electronic elements to their very core.

    One of my strongest beliefs is that new music is a ripe opportunity for collaboration between composer and performer. Not only does this create more idiomatic works, but it helps cross boundaries between both artists’ interests. When creating a new work in collaboration with another performer I like to discuss with them along each step of the creative process. This allows me to integrate some of their favorite techniques alongside workshop different ideas about the composition with them, truly creating a co-created work.

    My primary goal as a composer is to constantly push boundaries with my music; advancing the body of work for wind bands, challenging the toxic/abusive relationships that can occur within the music world of music, bringing forward the voices of queer experiences, and championing exclusively human-made art.

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Regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI): With rapid changes in modern technology, many companies have started to invest in generative artificial intelligence tools. While I compose within the medium of electronic music, I do not use generative AI in the creation of anything I do. I believe that art is a human endeavor and refuse to use generative AI in my practice, especially due to the ethical dubiousness and environmental harm that follows many generative AI programs. Everything I do always comes from the mind of a human, mistakes and all.