I am honored to have received a 2020 Individual Artist Award from Rasmuson Foundation and a 2021 Connie Boochever Award from the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation. I combined these awards into a single project that brought unique educational opportunities to Alaskan youth, connected professional Alaskan musicians with colleagues across the country, and premiered new music that explored a new tonal system.
The educational opportunities were offered by Andie Tanning and Alex LoRe to young musicians. Students at East High School learned instrumental technique and received help with sectional rehearsal from Andie while young musicians from across Anchorage School District who participate in Alaska Jazz Workshop learned improvisation skills from Alex.
Andie and Alex both have an interest in Alaska, just as many Alaskan musicians are eager to develop relationships with musicians in other areas of the country and other parts of the world. This trip, Andie and Alex were able to reconnect with UAA guitar faculty Armin Abdihodžić as well as develop a new connection with a leader of the Anchorage jazz community, Nick Petumenos
This joint project was a concert premier titled Tonal Language that took place on March 25th, 2022 in the UAA Recital Hall. See an abridged version of the program for information about the premier and the new tonal system it explored. Visit the listen page for recordings of the performance.
I am grateful to the University of Alaska Anchorage for hosting this concert in the UAA Recital Hall. I am also grateful to Armin for handling most of the logistics that made this concert possible. I am delighted to have collaborated with Andie and Alex, who flew from New York City to Anchorage for this premier. I am grateful to Alaska State Council on the Arts for administering the Connie Boochever Award and for the continued support they provide to many artists in this great state.