She Made Her Way Through Desolation began with the idea of incorporating Morse code for SOS and hiding it through rhythmic displacement in the auxiliary percussion before every part aligns as a distressed vessel finally calls for help. While working on this piece I learned about the story of Grace Darling and her efforts in saving the nine surviving passengers and crew of a wrecked ship near Longstone Lighthouse in Outer Farne Islands, England. The story of Grace and the Forfarshire seemed to fit perfectly with my own imagined story so I adopted it and sought to complete a piece that honored her and women like her who have run into danger for the sake of others. 

I’m excited to announce that She Made Her Way Through Desolation is the recipient of the "Alex Shapiro Prize through IAWM’s 2024 Search for New Music. If you are interested in learning more about this piece please contact me directly.