I taught a four-day songwriting workshop at Leiden University’s LAK center where students wrote and recorded their own songs. From lyrics to melody and final recordings, each participant created original music — some for the very first time.
During the Leidse Jazz Week I organized a concert at the Hooglandse Kerk with pianist Florian Weber and jazz legend Lee Konitz. Supported by sponsors and the city of Leiden, it was a life-changing experience to perform and share the stage together.
I graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2014 alongside 900 fellow students. It was an unforgettable day — from speeches and honorary doctorates for Jimmy Page, Valerie Simpson, Geri Allen, and Thara Memory, to walking the stage and receiving my diploma.
While studying phrasing with Joanne Brackeen, I asked Joe Lovano to play one of my compositions for an assignment — he not only played the melody but improvised on it. An unforgettable moment that inspired me to hear my music in a whole new way.
I discovered a Sesame Street jazz episode and was amazed by its musical value. Since 1969, the show has featured legends like Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, Diana Krall, Wynton Marsalis, and even Michael Bublé swinging with the puppets.
At Berklee’s Jazz Composition Symposium I attended events with Geri Allen, Terence Blanchard, Billy Childs, Vijay Iyer, Maria Schneider, Don Was, and more. From private lessons to forums on the future of jazz, it was an inspiring and unforgettable week.
Visiting artist Adam Cruz reminded us that every musician should learn some drums. He gave us sticks, taught basic rudiments and paradiddles, and even had us work on clapping clave patterns to build rhythmic independence.
With Dave Gilmore and my ensemble we performed several pieces from the semester, including my original composition The Concept of Falling. It was a joy to share this music together.
Berklee hosted a masterclass with Cheryl Bentyne of the Manhattan Transfer. She shared insights on simplicity, song meaning, joy, and staying true to the music — an inspiring session from a legendary jazz vocalist.
In Anthony Scibilia’s Global Jazz class I explored connecting visual art with music, composing pieces inspired by Van Gogh, Monet, Pollock, and Rauschenberg. Using my voice and even cardboard box samples, I performed for Joe Lovano and Danilo Perez — who praised the playfulness and