Strawberry Shortcake (2022) - ca. 6'

flute, cello, grand piano, and acting

Premiere performance
Luc LaChapelle (flute), Jaemin Lee (cello), and Joshua Catanzaro (piano) at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, IN (July 26, 2022)

Additional performances
- Pam Herendeen (flute), Emma Cheng (cello), and Matt Mazzoni (piano) at my Senior Saxophone and Composition Recital at Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, MO (Sep. 8, 2024)
* video above

- Valentina Arango Sánchez (flute), Jiae Lee (cello), Ludwing Espindola (piano) at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO (April 22, 2023)

- Parkway Central High School Students at the Parkway Central High School Cabaret in Chesterfield, MO (April 21, 2023)

Program Note
Freshman year of high school was quite a struggle. There was never any time to relax, get away from school, and do things for myself. So, when the final bell of the school year rang, I was absolutely ecstatic. My friend and I spent the afternoon doing fun activities and relishing in the fact that we did not have homework. But the most memorable part of that day was baking a strawberry shortcake. Getting to spend that time together, to relax, to smile and laugh, just to be happy was priceless.

In most of Strawberry Shortcake, you will hear a lively, happy melody. But in some parts, those melodies grow darker and lose their chirpiness which expresses the times during the school year when things got really tough. But the music always rises out of the gloom and regains the warming cheerfulness. This piece is for everyone who struggles to get through difficult times. Just know that there will always be a strawberry shortcake waiting for you.

Awards
- University of Missouri’s Creating Original Music Project Competition, winner of the high school notated music category (Winter 2023)