This is one of the most personal projects I have taken on. Everything about this piece is built from scratch – not only the music, but the text was commissioned to my dear friend, Joyce Rempel. I knew she would deliver text that makes you think, is active, and leaves you with a different kind of impression on your mind; there's a natural poignancy to her work, which I enjoy and appreciate.

Joyce gave me 5 poems – each representing a different season (there were 2 for autumn; only 1 was used for this work). However, each poem didn't try to present or elaborate on a season in the meteorological sense; each poem seemed to represent a “season” in life. Within the poetry, there was a vast array of emotions put on display. Just as I started to explore these texts, my friends within the Eastman community and myself said a sudden goodbye to a beloved voice teacher, mentor, diva, and friend. This was an experience that we, as students, were forced to travel through together. It was a time for us to band together, and keep each other uplifted as we grieved. The experience changed us, and this, too, became a season for each of us in our lives.

On Molding Experience is written, with admiration, for Ms. Rita Shane.