What’s the last book you’ve read – or piece of music you’ve performed?
Performing has been a less-regular part of my routine the past few years, but in May 2022 I had the long-awaited privilege of performing Brahms’ First Sonata for clarinet and piano with a local friend. Our first rehearsal took place in January 2020, with hopes of participating in the Performing Artists Program at Cleveland Clinic, but then Covid struck, protocols changed, and my pianist collaborator shared that he and his family would be relocating after he finished his medical residency. We made it a priority to reconnect before his departure, and while we didn’t end up performing at the Clinic, a friend offered to host us for an evening of chamber music at her home. Two-and-half years after that first rehearsal, we finally pulled things together.
What’s a topic or subject you’d like to learn more about?
There are many–on both personal and professional fronts. Among the Christmas gifts exchanged in my family (just a month ago, hard to believe!) was the complete America’s Test Kitchen cookbook, which had me thinking how great it would be to expand my culinary repertoire. Not to mention, I always enjoy learning kitchen hacks that save time.
What three foods are always in your refrigerator?
It seemed apropos to follow the previous question with an answer to this one. Cilantro, lemons, and fresh ginger root are all staples in my produce drawer–the first for garnishes, the second for extra zing wherever needed, and the third for thermos tea that I bring to work.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
After a pit orchestra performance in high school, the group’s director gave me a thank-you card that surprised me with its simple, yet profound wisdom: “Be open to what the Lord would have you do with your life.” I still have the card, and it reminds me of the eloquent words found in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
Final question: What’s your favorite thing about MLA?
MLAers care deeply about finding ways to improve what they accomplish as an organization. As our president announced earlier this month, one of the reasons we’re retiring the formal newsletter is to organize strategically and strengthen communication by redirecting newsletter content to the MLA blog and social media channels. On one hand, it’s bittersweet to bid farewell to an MLA tradition. It’s also amazing to see how much technology has changed since the newsletter’s early days. The Internet fulfills a role that earlier editors could only have dreamed of — instant sharing of information that doesn’t require mailing print copy through the postal service! But even as traditions change, MLA’s role has not. We still provide a professional forum for those who support and preserve the world’s musical heritage.