Forward Motion

Some people like to stick to the plan, and others like to make it up as they go. The Indianapolis-based ensemble, Forward Motion, blends these two approaches by performing with and without scores. We advocate for the creation of new works, forever propelling ourselves towards that uncatchable horizon. What makes Forward Motion unique is our ability to perform compelling, spontaneous improvisations that sound so organic, they feel fully composed.

At each concert, we have moments where we remove our music stands, and don’t use sheet music. We know each other remarkably well, and can complete each other’s sentences. One of us will start to play and the others join in with fresh ideas. In the end, audiences will experience the creation of a completely new piece of music, never to be heard exactly the same way again. Available to book with flexible options of 2-6 musicians.

Solo Classical Recitals: Conversations with composers

If you could have a conversation with Brahms, what would you talk about? What would you ask him? While we’ll never be able to converse with him directly, I feel we can talk through his music. Conversations with Composers, is all about living in the moment, responding to the spontaneity of my collaborator and providing verbal program notes to the audience.

In my performance, we’ll demonstrate the difference between performing Brahms’ 2nd Sonata strictly as written vs. with artistic liberty. We’ll talk about Sobre las Olas by Juventino Rosas, a piece most don’t know by name, despite it having one of the most recognizable melodies. We all assume this famous waltz is by Strauss, but it’s not. We’ll dip into a fully improvised piece of music, before ending the program with my favorite lyrical art songs by William Grant Still. The music can speak for itself, but since we’re all together, let’s have our own conversation.

Solo electric clarinet show: Sali

At its heart, this intimate show fuses soulful clarinet playing with live looping as a way to explore identity. When I was a kid, the three most important men in my life (my grandpa, dad, and brother) all had the nickname “Sal” from our last name. I revere each of these family members, and long to be like them. For some reason, though, my nickname growing up was “Sali” instead. Why did I have my own nickname? Am I unique? How am I different, and similar, to these people whom I deeply respect?

The music I invented to respond to these questions creates an introspective space for deep, personal thinking. Throughout the performance, audience members might find themselves exploring or re-exploring their own identity and general outlook. And maybe... they might emerge from the concert a little bit different, maybe with a different outlook than when they first entered the recital hall.

House Concerts

Salon style concerts have been part of music for centuries, and house concerts (as they are called now) give listeners a comfortable, introvert-friendly, experience. My favorite thing about these performances is that they are incredibly intimate, and give listeners an opportunity to hear music in a relaxed environment. I’ve been doing house concerts for years, and was a featured performer at the Little Flower House Concert Series on the East Side of Indianapolis. I love sharing music in this informal way, so if you’d like a little more clarinet in your home, please reach out!