"Identity In Christ" - Album Out Now
I am so excited to announce that my very first full-length piano solo album is out everywhere you can stream music. This album includes piano improvisations and arrangements on hymns including:
Abide with Me
At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing
Children of the Heavenly Father
Faith and Truth and Life Bestowing
Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings (Dance of Holy Manna)
I am Jesus' Little Lamb
Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus
Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways
The King of Love My Shepherd Is.
This was a very exciting, emotional, humbling, and inspiring project to work on. It has provided such a personal journey of growth in both musicianship and faith. For much of my life, the question floating in my mind was, “Where/What is my identity in?” Was it in the school I attended? Was it in the accomplishments that I had? Was it in my circle of friends? Was it in my job title? Was it in my grades? Was it in my music? Was my identity based in someone else’s opinion of me? These questions have never ceased to beat at my heart. These questions have never ceased to exist in my mind. I had always turned to the Lord in prayer, with petitions such as, “Jesus, remind me that my identity is in you” or “God, fill my heart with Your Holy Spirit and walk with me.” While I know with confidence that the Lord has always walked with me, I have often forgotten throughout the years that he walks with ME. The Word tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image (Psalm 139). The Word tells us that He calls us by name (Isaiah 43). This was somewhat of an epiphany for me - realizing that the Lord of all not only walks with me, but walks with me in my own uniqueness - and that the reason I have the school I have, the friends I have made, the job I do, and the musical gifts I inherit are because of Him and Him alone. God’s Word reminds us that we are the clay, as He is the potter (Isaiah 64:8) and that he knows the plans he has for us (Jeremiah 29:11) because we are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). The Lord created each of us for a specific purpose. He never created a duplicate - and he didn’t want to. The Lord has created many with similar gifts, however, all of us together are Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 25-28). This is when I realized that we do not live for our own accomplishments. We do not live for the friends we have made. We do not live for the music we produce. We do not live for the opinions of others. We do not live for our job titles. We live for Christ. Christ walks with us as individuals in our uniqueness because that is how he created us to be - just us - to serve and love him. What a beautiful sigh of relief. Who are we to compare ourselves to others? Who are we to put ourselves down because we “don’t make the cut.” Who are we to shame the workmanship of His beautiful hand?
“Let us ever walk with Jesus, follow His example pure, through a wold that would deceive us, and to sin our spirits lure. Onward in His footsteps treading, pilgrims here, our home above, full of faith and hope and love, let us do the Father’s bidding. Faithful Lord with me abide; I shall follow where you guide.” (Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus - Stanza 1)
So, what is our identity in? Is it in our paycheck? No. Is it in the negative opinion of someone? No. Does our identity lay in the friendships we make? No. Is our identity built on our political leaders? No. Does our identity lie in a vaccination status? No. Does our identity lie in your successes and failures? No. Where is our identity founded? It is founded in Christ alone - for he is the Good Shepherd - ever leading and never forsaking.
I pray that the music on this album will relay this message to you - that you will be reminded that Christ walks with you and loves you for who you truly are and that he has a plan for you.
Abide with Me
At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing
Children of the Heavenly Father
Faith and Truth and Life Bestowing
Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings (Dance of Holy Manna)
I am Jesus' Little Lamb
Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus
Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways
The King of Love My Shepherd Is.
This was a very exciting, emotional, humbling, and inspiring project to work on. It has provided such a personal journey of growth in both musicianship and faith. For much of my life, the question floating in my mind was, “Where/What is my identity in?” Was it in the school I attended? Was it in the accomplishments that I had? Was it in my circle of friends? Was it in my job title? Was it in my grades? Was it in my music? Was my identity based in someone else’s opinion of me? These questions have never ceased to beat at my heart. These questions have never ceased to exist in my mind. I had always turned to the Lord in prayer, with petitions such as, “Jesus, remind me that my identity is in you” or “God, fill my heart with Your Holy Spirit and walk with me.” While I know with confidence that the Lord has always walked with me, I have often forgotten throughout the years that he walks with ME. The Word tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image (Psalm 139). The Word tells us that He calls us by name (Isaiah 43). This was somewhat of an epiphany for me - realizing that the Lord of all not only walks with me, but walks with me in my own uniqueness - and that the reason I have the school I have, the friends I have made, the job I do, and the musical gifts I inherit are because of Him and Him alone. God’s Word reminds us that we are the clay, as He is the potter (Isaiah 64:8) and that he knows the plans he has for us (Jeremiah 29:11) because we are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). The Lord created each of us for a specific purpose. He never created a duplicate - and he didn’t want to. The Lord has created many with similar gifts, however, all of us together are Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 25-28). This is when I realized that we do not live for our own accomplishments. We do not live for the friends we have made. We do not live for the music we produce. We do not live for the opinions of others. We do not live for our job titles. We live for Christ. Christ walks with us as individuals in our uniqueness because that is how he created us to be - just us - to serve and love him. What a beautiful sigh of relief. Who are we to compare ourselves to others? Who are we to put ourselves down because we “don’t make the cut.” Who are we to shame the workmanship of His beautiful hand?
“Let us ever walk with Jesus, follow His example pure, through a wold that would deceive us, and to sin our spirits lure. Onward in His footsteps treading, pilgrims here, our home above, full of faith and hope and love, let us do the Father’s bidding. Faithful Lord with me abide; I shall follow where you guide.” (Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus - Stanza 1)
So, what is our identity in? Is it in our paycheck? No. Is it in the negative opinion of someone? No. Does our identity lay in the friendships we make? No. Is our identity built on our political leaders? No. Does our identity lie in a vaccination status? No. Does our identity lie in your successes and failures? No. Where is our identity founded? It is founded in Christ alone - for he is the Good Shepherd - ever leading and never forsaking.
I pray that the music on this album will relay this message to you - that you will be reminded that Christ walks with you and loves you for who you truly are and that he has a plan for you.
O Praise Him! O Praise Him! Alleluia!
A very special "thank you" to everyone who attended my senior recital online or in person. The lovely compliments, incredible support, and outreach has been so humbling and I am truly thankful. I am so thankful for Concordia University, Nebraska and its stellar, Christ-centered music program. My teachers and friends have been such a wonderful blessing to me in so many ways. I am looking forward to what else God has planned.
As far as the future is concerned, I continue to trust in the Lord, as He has always had a plan for me - even when I do not know what comes next. God has richly blessed me through Concordia University, Nebraska. I will now continue on to my professional semester beginning in August 2021. Following my professional semester, I will have completed my degree requirements and will graduate from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Music in K-12 Vocal and Instrumental Music Education with a Lutheran Teacher's Diploma. Soli Deo Gloria! |
Senior Recital: The Final Curtain Call
I have finally made it to the end of my undergraduate studies at Concordia University, Nebraska. In partial fulfillment of my Bachelor of Music in K-12 Vocal and Instrumental Music Education, I am required by my music program to produce and perform a recital program - filled with both new music and music that I have added to my repertoire over the last four years. I am very excited for this opportunity, and I am even more thrilled to share my growth in musicality with you. I will be performing a piano recital under the direction and support of Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo. This recital will feature works from Debussy, Respighi, Schubert, Ginastera, and more.
I have the honor of performing in the Recital Hall at the Music Center on Concordia University Nebraska's campus on a brand new 9' Steinway & Sons Model D piano. This piano was graciously donated to Concordia University in early 2020 for students to practice and perform with - and it is appreciated and cherished by many. This recital is scheduled for March 27, 2021 at 7:00 PM. For those who are unable to attend, a live stream/recording will be available for viewing. More details will be available in the coming weeks as the recital date approaches. Stay tuned! |
NEW EP AVAILABLE NOW!
"Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow"My first EP is coming to all music stores beginning July 9, 2020! This EP includes five peaceful, calming, and meditative piano solo improvisations of well-known hymn tunes of praise and thanksgiving.
Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness Holy God, We Praise Thy Name Lord of All Hopefulness Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing I hope you enjoy this collection of hymns and that you find peace in the message that they share. Be still, know that He is God. Be at peace, for you are forgiven and He has a plan for you. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen." |