Early June: R!S and TAPS East Coast

It's been a busy first half of the month so far. Though summer isn't technically upon us, there's something about the month of June that makes it a month for personal projects.
Perhaps it's because my entire life has been attached to an academic calendar, or perhaps it's because it's a month where there's typically more nice than dreary weather - either way, the first half of this selfish month has been a total joy.

New Article

It's been out for a little while, but you can read "Developing Kinesthetic Awareness: A Guide to Mindset, Explorations, and Wrists - Part 2" in this month's Rhythm! Scene. Find it on page 14!

TAPS East Coast

By now there's evidence on social media that TAPS East Coast was a blast, both as a human and as a musician. Held at the New England Music Camp (NEMC) at Snow Pond, the setting was nothing short of breathtaking. The faculty were housed in cabins, the students in the new dorm, and our activities took place in the historic Bowl of the Pines located in the center of the NEMC campus.

Lake Messalonskee from The Lodge

view of the Bowl from the audience field

We presented masterclasses, taught private lessons, held a mock audition, recorded a podcast, and presented a concert, complete with a performance of Ionisation.

Ionisation dress rehearsal

coaching some Ivan Trevino

Casey performs Meditation no.1 during his masterclass

one of the mock audition winners in performance

Thanks go to Innovative Percussion for sending mallets for each participant, and to Majestic for sending not only a Prophonic snare drum for giveaway but also the gorgeous 5 octave instrument you see in the photos.

I had a great time at TAPS East Coast, and there's another one in July in Long Beach, California. You can learn more about that here.

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Laurel Black Music

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