change

I realize that many of you are probably wondering what this next season in life holds for me. If you have been following my blog for awhile, you may have guessed that I really wanted nothing more but to be back in the Pacific Northwest. And indeed I am.

I had planned to move to Portland, move in with my dear friend Meghan (and Kashi and Buttons, the cats). I was looking forward to living in community with her. And, while establishing a reputation in a new musical community always takes time, I felt ready to take the plunge in a new city.

But sometimes life throws us a curveball.

So without boring you with all the intimate details, I’ll just say that I have decided to take a position at Whitworth University in Spokane for the year. Everything happened rather quickly, and I am still a bit in shock that I am actually back here – that I actually have a job in music.

I will be teaching a couple sections of Theory I and working as a staff accompanist in the voice department. Then I will be reestablishing my previous connections in the Spokane musical community, hopefully working with local voice teachers, opera companies, school choirs, etc.

I am living in a wonderful apartment – basically the exact opposite of where I have lived for the last 2 years. I arrived a few days ago, spent a few hours unloading and unpacking. When I finished, I poured a glass of wine and sat on my floor and felt the tears come. I am the happiest I’ve been in months, maybe years. I know this place will be an oasis for me, providing space for my soul to decompress. When I stand at my kitchen sink and look out the window, all I can see are trees. And every morning, I put on my hiking shoes and hop on the trail that borders my backyard.

So I have gone from Baltimore sunrises…

…to Spokane sunsets…

  

I am viewing this as a year-long venture. I will continue to look into other possibilities for the future, maybe Portland, maybe Seattle – who knows?   I am also open to staying in Spokane, if the opportunity presents itself. Mostly, I am just along for the ride, open to whatever adventures come my way. And I am excited to be hiking, teaching, playing, making music – doing what I love, in a place that is dear to my heart.