From West Side Story to MacDowell
A Journey Through Broadway and Beyond
Early Roots in Broadway Music
Some of my earliest and fondest musical memories are tied to the Broadway scores my father brought into our home. As a child, I would sit at the piano, poring over sheet music from Camelot, Cabaret, and My Fair Lady. But nothing captured my imagination quite like Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story. My father, an accomplished musician and musical director at the Paramount Theatre, encouraged me to dive into these rich, complex arrangements.
Leonard Bernstein, MacDowell, and the Piano That Bridged Us
In 2011, I was awarded my first MacDowell Fellowship in Composition. This was a defining moment in my career, recognizing my work as a composer and placing me in a lineage of great artists who have graced the MacDowell Colony. One of those artists was none other than Leonard Bernstein, whose music had so profoundly inspired me as a child.
Leonard Bernstein’s Legacy at MacDowell
Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) was already a towering figure in music when he first stayed at The MacDowell Colony in 1962. Bernstein returned to MacDowell in 1970 and 1972, finding inspiration for works he described as having “a vastness, which were dealing with subjects of astronomical if not mystical and astrological dimension.” In a 1987 interview, he reflected, “This vastness is inherent somehow in this place.”
The “Tombstone” Tradition at MacDowell
One of the unique traditions at MacDowell is the "Tombstone," a wooden tablet where each artist inscribes their name and dates of stay. It is a symbolic gesture, a way to leave a lasting mark on the hallowed grounds of this artist colony. Adding my name to this collective legacy alongside Bernstein and so many other luminaries was both surreal and profoundly moving.
(famous names—
George Tsontakis | Fred Hersch)
Conclusion
Whether it’s composing at the Watson House or performing in the pits of Broadway, I am forever grateful for the journey that began with my father introducing me to West Side Story. The legacy of Bernstein, the Paramount Theatre, and Broadway continues to inspire me every day.
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The music of West Side Story was a revelation. The soaring melodies, intricate rhythms, and groundbreaking harmonies opened my young mind to the limitless possibilities of composition. I was particularly enamored with Bernstein's ability to merge classical sophistication with the raw, visceral energy of jazz and Latin music. These formative experiences planted the seeds for my lifelong love of storytelling through music.
A Legacy at the Paramount Theatre
My father’s work at the historic Paramount Theatre in Austin further deepened my connection to Broadway. He served as the musical director during the theater's heyday, conducting live orchestras for a variety of performances. In 2015, the Paramount celebrated its 100th centennial, and I was an honoree, (pictured with my son, Milo) proud to be a part of this rich legacy, which profoundly influenced my own path in music.
At MacDowell, I was assigned to the Watson House
At MacDowell, I was assigned to the Watson House, where Bernstein himself had stayed during his visits. Even more remarkably, I worked at the same Steinway he used while composing some of his seminal works. Sitting at that piano in the serene environment of MacDowell was a deeply humbling experience, as if I were communing with the spirit of one of my greatest inspirations.
Norton Stevens Fellowship in Composition
I was honored again in 2012 with the prestigious Norton Stevens Fellowship in Composition, awarded by the Norlin Foundation for my composition “Two Desert Dances.” These two years of recognition not only affirmed my dedication to composition but also connected me to a broader artistic community that celebrated creativity in its purest form.
Broadway, Composition, and the Artistic Journey
Reflecting on my journey, I see how the threads of my early exposure to Broadway music, my father’s influence, and my professional experiences in Broadway pits have woven together to shape my identity as a musician and composer. Winning the MacDowell Fellowship felt like a culmination of all these experiences—an acknowledgment of the past and an invitation to keep exploring new artistic horizons.
