The journey to bring The Dragon Dream to life recently took me to Athens, Georgia—a trip that ended up being about so much more than just capturing sound art.
The primary goal, of course, was the music. We spent the days immersed in the original new works commissioned for this project. These compositions, written by brilliant composers of the Chinese diaspora, demand a lot from the performer, both technically and emotionally. Bringing their sketches and scores to life in the studio is always a high-wire act, but having such dedicated collaborators in the room made all the difference.
However, the highlight of the trip wasn’t just the work; it was the people.
Connect x Reconnect
I had the incredible opportunity to reconnect with my mentor, Steve Vacchi. As one of my most prominent teachers during my doctoral studies, Steve has been a guiding force in my career. To share this professional milestone with him—discussing the nuances of these new pieces and catching up on life—was a grounding and deeply rewarding experience.
The trip also brought some surprises in the form of new friendships. I developed an unexpected and wonderful bond with Mark and Peter. Recording days can be long and grueling, but their presence, humor, and camaraderie turned the pressure of the studio into a genuinely enjoyable experience.
Leaving Athens, I felt a sense of accomplishment not just for the tracks we laid down, but for the community that is building around this project. Now that the raw audio is in hand, the next stop is Buffalo to polish the final album.
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