Rooted in a classical music upbringing, my artistic vision is centered on creating interdisciplinary works that bridge traditional and contemporary forms. Inspired by film scores, my compositions often reflect the narrative and emotional arc found in cinematic music. Influences such as Hans Zimmer, Benjamin Wallfisch, Ramin Djawadi, Son Lux, Nicholas Britell, and Harry Gregson-Williams have shaped my approach to thematic development and musical storytelling.
My work seeks to evoke a sense of beauty, introspection, and hope through rich tonal landscapes, layered timbres, and psychological depth—often drawing from elements of nature and human experience to shape the soundscape.
Textures
2020
Full Orchestra
Duration: about 5 minutes
Program Notes
"Ceraunophile" is my first completed work for full orchestra. I look forward to capturing a live recording now that it is safe to bring the entire ensemble back together on stage following COVID-related restrictions.
The title, Ceraunophile, refers to someone who is fascinated by thunderstorms and lightning—a definition that resonates with me personally. I’ve always found storms to be both comforting and awe-inspiring: beautiful in their chaos, yet powerful enough to command reverence.
Nature has long been a source of inspiration, fear, and admiration in my life—an evolving relationship that deepens as I grow older. This piece serves as a musical interpretation of how I experience storms through my synesthesia, with sound translating into color, texture, and sensation. My hope is that listeners are transported into that sensory world and invited to experience the wonder, power, and complexity of nature through sound.
Ceraunophile
2022
Brass Choir, Organ, and Percussion
Duration: about 10 minutes
Progam Notes
"Respiration" reflects the universal necessity—and fragility—of breath, shared among all living beings. In recent years, this fundamental act has become a struggle across many dimensions: our environment is suffocating under the weight of pollution, individuals face breathlessness through isolation and illness, and our collective spirit suffers from the absence of true rest.
In this piece, the instruments move as one, unified in breath, yet each voice carries its own tension, its own obstacle. The ensemble mirrors the complexity of shared experience—interconnected, but never identical.
Listeners are invited to take a deep breath before the music begins, as the piece builds with such emotional intensity and anticipation that it may leave you breathless.
Respire
2020
Trio for Horn, Cello, & Piano
Duration: about 10 minutes
Program Notes
"Apparition" draws inspiration from the definition of the word itself—an unexpected appearance, often ghostlike or unsettling. This piece explores the emotional tension that arises in the presence of the unfamiliar, whether that be an intangible entity or an unrecognizable aspect of a person.
In the metaphor of a ghost, the music evokes a formless, shadowy presence—a reflection of the unpredictable emotions that surface when one encounters the unknown, much like walking through a haunted space. In the metaphor of an apparition as a person, the work reflects on the many masks people wear in daily life. Often, a person’s true self is only revealed unexpectedly, and that sudden clarity can be just as haunting as a ghostly encounter.
At its core, the piece offers a message about authenticity: the importance of accepting who we are or taking intentional steps to grow and develop our character.
The accompanying artwork is my interpretation of an anaglyphic x-ray of a human figure, symbolizing the duality between the external “mask” we present and the internal complexities—or even darker truths—beneath the surface.
This piece was written for my close friend, Austin Ruff, who premiered it as the horn player in a trio alongside piano and cello.
Apparition
2022
Brass Quintet
Duration: about 5 minutes
Program Notes
Atelophobia—the fear of imperfection—is a deeply human experience that many of us share. Overcoming it begins with self-acceptance and compassion, even in moments of perceived weakness. Growth stems from vulnerability, and by confronting our fears and anxieties with honesty, we open ourselves to understanding their deeper messages and, ultimately, to personal transformation.
Honest Atelo
2019
Duet for 2 Pianos
Duration: about 5 minutes
Program Notes
This piece explores the psychological landscape of the subconscious—the abyss of the mind—through the merging of two distinct tonal centers. It is inspired by the tendency to avoid confronting difficult or disturbing concepts that feel either irrelevant to our personal lives or too overwhelming to process: internal conflict, war, poverty, medical crises, and more. These unresolved thoughts are often pushed to the furthest corners of our minds, where they quietly grow into something far more intimidating.
The composition is structured as a dialogue between two pianos: one in A♭ melodic minor, representing Curiosity, and the other in E melodic minor, representing Fear. The interaction between the two tonalities mirrors the internal struggle between our desire to understand and the instinct to retreat from what unsettles us. As the piece progresses, it follows the trajectory of thought, ultimately portraying how fear tends to overpower our curiosity when faced with the unknown.
As someone with synesthesia, I associate A♭ melodic minor (Curiosity) with a rich crimson red, and E melodic minor (Fear) with a sickly, death-like algae green—further enhancing the emotional and sensory contrast between the two forces.
Abysm
2021
Duet for Bass Clarinet and Marimba
Duration: about 5 minutes
Program Notes
This piece emerged from my exploration of two dark, resonant instruments with broad registers: the clarinet and marimba. Although an unconventional pairing, I felt their distinct timbres could compellingly capture the emotional landscape and resilience demonstrated throughout the year 2020.
The work opens with a raw, expressive cry from the clarinet, answered by a somber, reflective response from the marimba. This exchange evolves into a dialogue marked by tension and uncertainty—representing the collective questioning and frustration of the time. Gradually, the music shifts toward a sense of acceptance, ultimately arriving at a peaceful resolution that embraces the present moment, rather than fearing the unknown future.
Resilience
2021
Electro Acoustics
Duration: about 5 minutes
Program Notes
This electro-acoustic composition is inspired by Lord Ullin’s Daughter by Vampire Weekend, a piece that creatively incorporates poetry as narrative while layering elements such as thunderstorm recordings, piano, and various ambient sounds. Similarly, my work draws from Arthur Rimbaud’s synesthetic poem Vowels, using it as a conceptual foundation. Rather than just relying on modern synthesized sounds, I chose to layer organically recorded, vintage-inspired textures to evoke the multisensory imagery within the poem. The piece is an exploration of perceiving texture not through sight, but through sound—inviting listeners to experience the sensory interplay through auditory perception.