Low Eh!

My practicing changes frequently, based on my upcoming gigs, my interests at the time, and reminders of lessons past. Here’s what I’ve been working on in October 2026.

1. Flute! It’s been a summer/early fall of clarinet and bass clarinet work for me, and sadly, I had been neglecting my flute. Last week, I performed in Back To Black: A Tribute To Amy Winehouse, a show I have co-run with Renée Landry for ten years. I am the musical director of the show, and I also play baritone saxophone, and flute. I also have a bunch of shows where I play flute through November and December. After having a summer of strictly maintenance practicing on the flute, I was happy to dig into the flute more in late September and October. I started by working through Trevor Wye’s Tone book, and using the Kohler Romantic Etudes, and Berbiguier to get my technique feeling great again!
2. Composing and arranging. This is less about what I’m practicing, and more about where my time is going! Haha! We just finished our annual two night celebration of Back To Black – A Tribute To Amy Winehouse, where I’m the baritone saxophonist/flautist, and musical director. After ten years of this show, and many iterations of the book, I decided to rewrite it this year. I’ve also started a big band through my teaching studio, and I’ve been composing and arranging charts for that band, as well as the Convertibles upcoming project – music from the ’90s for a little big band! I love the nuts and bolts of putting these arrangements together!
3. Learning tunes in 12 keys. This is something that I love to work on. The flexibility that I gain from working on tunes in all keys is something that makes me super comfortable on the stage. It allows my ears to help me respond and take off in so many different directions. I got away from this over the summer when I was prepping for my September musicals, so I’m back on it now! Lately, I’ve been tackling bird blues’ in all keys.