Compositions
Within (2024)
A piano quintet for two violins, viola, cello, and piano, written for GAIA Quartet
Premiere April 18th, 2024 in Pickman Concert Hall, Cambridge, MA with GAIA Quartet: Aspen Barker, Rosalyn Taylor, Simone Cartales, Yi Charice Tang
"Within" was inspired by something that was said to me: "What's wrong with you?" In a way, it's a message I've received in various forms throughout my life- that there must be something wrong with me for not fitting a particular mold or following a traditional path. The piece is organized into three sections, or movements:
1. The initial shock of receiving such a message
2. The pain and isolation felt from internalizing that message
3. Embracing and accepting oneself fully: what's "Within"
August (2023)
Written for flute doubling alto flute, bassoon, voice, piano, two violins, and cello.
Premiered November 16th, 2023 in Edward M. Pickman Hall at Longy School of Music of Bard College with Ambrose Philipek, violin; Tuan Nguyen, violin; Caroline Wolfe, soprano and piano; Xiaochang Tang, cello; Thomas Conrad, flute and alto flute; Liza Knight, bassoon.
"August" is an original composition based on a very specific feeling I've had in the month of August. It's often a time of moving and big changes; leaving a chapter of your life and starting a new one, or simply leaving summer behind and entering a new season. With every new beginning, one questions what to take and what to leave behind.
Appalachian Ostinato (2023)
Written for piano in 2020 and arranged for piano, flute, violin, and viola in 2023.
Premiered May 9th, 2023 in Pickman Hall at Longy School of Music of Bard College with Ambrose Philipek, violin; Simone Cartales, viola; DeShaun Gordon-King, flute; Liz Derstine, piano.
“Appalachian Ostinato” is an original composition based on a melody that was floating around in my head on repeat during my record-setting northbound hike of the Appalachian Trail. Ostinato is a musical term meaning a continually repeated phrase or rhythm. It also derives from an Italian word for "stubborn" which is fitting–despite the many physical and mental obstacles that came with hiking a long distance trail, I stubbornly kept walking and did eventually reach Katahdin, the northern terminus of the AT
Perfect Game (Pink Feathers Remix) (2019)
Melody and lyrics by Danielle “Danz” Johnson, instrumentation and arrangement by Liz Derstine, additional production and mixing by RAC.
Released March 19th, 2019 on Computer Magic Remixes Vol I with Channel 9 Records.
Danz approached me about contributing a remix to accompany the release of her new single “Perfect Game”, released under her artist moniker Computer Magic. The lyrics she wrote, “I’ve seen this place before, and I know this trap door. Walk me through the door, I know what you’re after. Building up slowly, call my name, leveling up now, the perfect game.” Taken literally, this could be about a video game. It made me think of my childhood (loved my Super Nintendo and Sega adventures), and in a more metaphorical sense, it made me think of one’s life path; leveling up as a person and in one’s career.
I love combining organic acoustic instruments with synth-driven music. I took some live recordings playing my flute, the same one I’ve had since the fourth grade, to create the pipe organ-like sound heard at the beginning and throughout the piece. The sparse piano and string arrangement in the beginning was a nod to the Smashing Pumpkins; nostalgia from my adolescence, and the plunky piano chords are a tribute to where I started as a young pianist. The textures and layers build throughout the song, driving and building power and depth through to the end of the track.
It’s A Shame (2017)
Melody and lyrics by Liz Derstine, instrumentation and production by RAC.
Debuted on the music album EGO by RAC (2017), featured in Netflix’s Wednesday season 1 episode 4 “Woe What a Night” (2022).
Radio War (2017)
Debuted on the Spring EP (2017) under the artist moniker Pink Feathers.
“Radio War” is my commentary on social media influencer culture. It’s one of the more dissonant sounding pieces I’ve written featuring a bunch of cluster chords on piano and living in the mixolydian realm.
It’s no longer enough creating tales to tale
We are playing a role, persuaded to sell
We’re in a war, the radio war
With the millionth voice, I’m screaming.. for what?
”Give a little bit more.” I’m giving more!
We’re in a war, the radio war
Mind your hair, mind your shoes
Mind that you don’t ever lose
Kiss the feet and get the perks
And find a way to make it work
Ghosts (2014)
Debuted on the Invisible Lines EP (2014) under the artist moniker Pink Feathers and featured on MTV’s Awkward season 5, episode 8 “An Indecent Promposal” (2015).
“Ghosts” is about an awakening I had to my own privilege and the invisible lines drawn in our society even though we don’t always talk about or acknowledge them.
I saw a man walk through the shadows
And I followed him ‘cause I didn’t know any better
I was so sure in my revelation
That I’d lead the way with my petty little bout of courage
It took me far too long to figure how
Invisible lines have been long drawn out
Who’s side are you on? Decide for yourself
I ventured on to be brave and bold and understanding
All I gained was the offer of an arm
And he said, “ooh, ooh”
What was I proving? How could I even understand
I shied away without a shred of courage
I didn’t even know just how
The lines had been long drawn out
They’re ghosts, you see
They carry on and on
How long?