Every piece of music has a story.
Not simply the story it tells, but the story of how it came into being.
For more than four decades, my work as a composer, educator, lecturer, and mentor has been devoted to exploring that creative journey. Whether studying Gershwin, mentoring a songwriter, or examining the origins of rock 'n' roll, I'm interested in the creative decisions that shape every piece of music.
The Creative Process as a Career
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to work as a composer, producer, educator, lecturer, arts administrator, and mentor. At first glance, they may seem like very different careers. To me, they've always been different ways of exploring the same question:
How does music come into being?
Each role has offered a different perspective on the creative process. As a composer, I learned the uncertainty of the blank page. As a producer, I watched ideas become performances. Leading arts organizations revealed how artists collaborate, solve problems, and bring ambitious projects to life. Teaching and mentoring have given me the privilege of seeing those same creative moments unfold in others.
Together, those experiences shape the way I work today. Whether discussing Gershwin, guiding a songwriter through a new piece, or tracing the evolution of rock 'n' roll, I'm interested in revealing the creative decisions that transform ideas into works that connect with audiences.
HONORS & RECOGNITION
I am the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and the Stephen Sondheim Award for "the creation of innovative musical theater."
My work has also been supported through artist residencies at Ucross (USA), Instituto Sacatar (Brazil), and Fundación Valparaíso (Spain)
COMPOSER & LYRICIST
As a composer and lyricist, I've explored the creative process through opera, musical theater, concert music, chamber music, and song. Because I write both music and words, my creative process has always been shaped by the interaction between melody, harmony, rhythm, language, and dramatic storytelling. My stage works have been produced by organizations including Lincoln Center Theater Company, the Guthrie Theater, the San Francisco MimeTroupe, Children's Theatre Company of Minneapolis, Houston Grand Opera, LA Opera, Muse Opera (Korea), the Royal Welsh College of Music, Minnesota Opera, San Diego Opera, Seattle Opera, and many others.
I studied composition at The Juilliard School with Vincent Persichetti and at the Dartington Hall Summer School in England with Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for craft while encouraging me to develop my own artistic voice.
EDUCATOR
Teaching has become one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Whether working with lifelong learners, professional musicians, or emerging composers and songwriters, I enjoy helping others discover not only what music is, but how it is created.
Today I teach courses in music history, songwriting, and creativity through organizations including The Juilliard School, the 92nd Street Y, and Yellowbrick, while also offering individual creative mentoring for composers, songwriters, and musical theater writers. My courses combine history, analysis, and storytelling to reveal the creative decisions behind the music we love.
ARTS LEADERSHIP
Throughout my career, I've also worked behind the scenes as an arts leader and producer, collaborating with artists, directors, producers, and creative teams to bring new work to the stage and to audiences. These experiences offered another perspective on the creative process—not only how music is written, but how it is developed, produced, and shared.
I have held leadership positions with Gotham Chamber Opera (Executive Director), MasterVoices (Producing Director), and American Lyric Theater (Managing Director). As a producer, I served as Associate Producer for the Broadway production of Superior Donuts, helped launch the Off-Corrientes Series at Teatro Paseo La Plaza in Buenos Aires, and produced the cast recordings of Knickerbocker Holiday (Ghostlight Records) and The Road of Promise (Navona Records).
UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITIES
I had a song recorded by Willie Nelson.
I composed the score for the Academy Award-winning short film The Writers.
I created the song of a robotic bird that became the doorbell at actor Dudley Moore's home.
Early in my career, I composed original scores for Colt Studios, a pioneering gay film studio, where I learned to write quickly and adapt to many different dramatic situations.