Towards the Flame: In Praise of Dark Places

“Towards the Flame” is a program that is incredibly personal. The emotions, stories, and gravitas of these pieces span a decade of ups and downs - from deep despair, grief, and pain to moments of tenderness, courage, warmth, and ultimately: if not tiny triumphs, then, a constantly renewing vulnerability, resilience, and hope. That’s what the flame is in this program. It’s the light within us when the darkness sets in.

However, this is not a concert that simply praises love and light. It also praises the dark. It witnesses pain and grief. 

I like the cold. And I like the dark. Or rather, perhaps, I learn to need them. I need the void and emptiness and silence just as much as I need the heat and fire and luminous light. These places are profoundly necessary for us to turn inwards, to rest, to find solace and solidarity. Darkness is necessary for light. Silence is necessary for music.  

During these dark, cold winter months - I hope to share the power of this music to simply emote us, to allow us to feel just what we feel, and to move through these emotions together. That’s the power of collective experience - to connect us to ourselves, to each other, and the world around us. To have our struggles feel heard, understood, and shared.

“Darkness isn't just absence but a vital space for healing, creativity, navigation, and finding inner strength, making light more profound when it appears.”