Session Cellist

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: My last project was 'Transfigurations.' It was a multimedia project I created and toured nationally and internationally. It featured a full-length book I wrote, an album, and a stage piece.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A short indie doc about prisoners at San Quentin who contracted COVID. An outreach program with the NYPhil working with young composers. A giant multimedia project entitled 'Pariah.'

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Andrew Joslyn is a pal and colleague and all around badass.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Why choose? Different projects require a different approach.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I am dedicated to your vision.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The ability to meet new people in unusual situations and make the best of friends after only one gig.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That it's all play and no work.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your vision for this project (personal, work related etc). Where do you see me fitting in? What is your expectation for me fitting into the project?

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Let's talk about business first. When, where, how, why, budget, etc. then we can get creative.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Just the cello and a copy of my Bach cello suites will do :)

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I have been working professionally since 2015 when I toured with Tanya Donelly on her West Coast tour with Throwing Muses. My roots are classical and I was attending graduate school for cello performance when I began performing full time. Since then I have worked with a number of big names but have also found a home for myself in the visual arts and dance scene. I work across disciplines to tell my story.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Ambient, experimental, and richly layered. Border crossing.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I want to work with the experimental artist Pamela Z.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: When in the room be quiet and listen.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: As a session player I do not have one type. But I am known for my ambient, noise-oriented sets infused with a classical foundation.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My ability to find a project's essence. I play with sensitivity and awareness.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Richly layered, cinematic music using only the cello as my palette and a loop station. I work hard to find the sonic aura of projects.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For film I sit with the image and typically "live score" it using my loop station and then transcribe my improvisations. Sometimes I work off of a sonic reference.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use Logic and Ableton and have access to a variety of mics.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Pamela Z, the female engineers coming out of Women's Audio Mission

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Live performance including: Live scoring films, accompanying spoken word artists, corporate and social events. Recording: Session work for bands across genres, composing for commercials, and indie films.