Preparing Bach's Trio Sonata in C major, BWV 529, taught me that organ playing leaves nowhere to hide. With every voice exposed, the challenge extends beyond technical accuracy to shaping three independent musical lines that come together in a single, expressive conversation.

One of the most valuable lessons from teaching young students was discovering how powerful clear communication can be. Simple, encouraging, and specific instructions often led to immediate improvements, reminding me that teaching and performing share a common goal: communicating ideas in a way that others can understand and respond to.

Performing Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 2 reminded me that chamber music requires a different kind of listening. Reflecting on the recording afterwards revealed how collaboration, timing, and communication are just as important as individual playing.

What makes a fugue sound so complex? In this post, I explore the fundamentals of fugue writing, including the subject, counterpoint, and SATB texture, and how these elements combine to create some of Bach's most intricate and fascinating music.

What exactly is a toccata? In this post, I explore the origins of the genre and discover that a toccata is less a fixed musical form and more a style of writing. Its blend of improvisatory freedom, dramatic contrasts, and underlying structure reveals why it has remained a captivating part of the keyboard repertoire for centuries.