This past June/July, I composed a piece inspired by the weeks I spent volunteering at a place called Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua, on the South Island of New Zealand off the Otago Peninsula. The piece tells of the island's history as a quarantine station (and the Maori injustices that accompany colonization) and my experience living there, volunteering, meeting community members, and hanging out with the Island Keeper and his two wonderful kids.

There Are Two Ways to Win a Pair Of My New Mallets

Here's the First Way

Go to the booth at Malletech and check out my two mallets. Decide on which Yarn you like the best and vote by voting here.
click here to vote.

Check out my student Anthony. He's working incredibly hard on Friedman 8. He has memorized it also! That's incredible. Some of the Friedman etudes seem difficult to memorize as they are so out. Anthony works hard on the vibes!

"Imagine" by John Lennon - Recorded in 1971, this song is timeless and one was John Lennon's biggest hit. Seems so appropriate for what's going on in today's world. Here's my interpretation which includes some reharm and a modulation. Mallets: Vic Firth Signature model (M39).