Danza Americana is a dance piece for string orchestra inspired by Americana styles such as bluegrass and the ethos of Aaron Copland’s writing.  I wrote this piece in honor of my High School Orchestra teacher, Jeffery Levine.  In my 2016-17 school year, he demonstrated a great love for Aaron Copland by sharing with us in the orchestra the finale (Hoedown) from Copeland’s ballet Rodeo.  It was the first time I had ever seen the piece, and I dearly admired it ever since.  The orchestra was stubborn and voted Copeland “off the island” as it were, and so the piece was unfortunately not featured in our final concert of the year.  In admiration of Jeff having shared the piece with us, I wanted to compose something honorary for him.

I started writing Danza Americana on the piano in spring of 2017 and finished my first arrangement for string orchestra the following year.  Another year later, I worked in with Dr. Matthew George, who helped me simplify the form of the piece.  Fortunately, the piece was easily able to be adapted for a string quintet, so a live version of Danza Americana could be featured at the recital.  Danza Americana will be performed by the Dakota Valley Symphony Orchestra in March 2022.

Special thanks to David Carrillo from the University of Minnesota for agreeing to take up the project and recruiting some wonderful fellow musicians from the U of M to play in the quintet.  Thanks to Dr. Raphael Rodriguez for introducing me to David.

Thank you!

... to the University of St. Thomas for permitting us to rehearse in the Iverson Center for Faith and record in the Chapel of St. Thomas and in Baumgaertner Auditorium. 

... to the faculty of the Basilica of Saint Mary for permitting us to record in the Basilica.

... to Paul Schulz for permitting us to record at his home during a pandemic.

... to Irene Domingo for teaching pronunciation for Y Dice el Pastorcico.

... to Dr. Sherstan Johnson and Jaclyn Schwartz for answering countless emails and fulfilling endless requests.

... to Joseph Ortiz for being an incredible and gracious director and editor for my 2021 Composition Recital.  Your contribution has been crucial to the completion of this project.  God bless you all your days and then some!