Projects
My creative practice lives at the intersection of bassoon, voice, mixed media, and poetry. I’m also interested in expanding the expressive world of the bassoon—often borrowing from other instruments through original transcriptions and reimagining their sounds through my own lens. Both of these explorations invite new colors, textures, and possibilities. Much of my commissioning work grows out of sharing my nature-inspired poetry with composers and collaborating around a shared theme or landscape.
Photo Credit: Jose Franch-Ballester
Launch of Basso Vox
I’m excited to share the launch of Basso Vox, a new chamber music duo with double bassist Nina Bernat. Formed to explore the expressive and vocal possibilities of the bassoon and double bass, the ensemble focuses on transcriptions and new repertoire that highlight the singing qualities of these two often underrepresented instruments. The name Basso Vox translates to “bass voice” in Latin. Nina and I are both originally from Iowa City, and after independently winning the Concert Artists Guild Competition, we began collaborating through the CAG roster. Recent and upcoming performances include appearances at Tippet Rise Art Center, the Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival, and several concert series across the country.
Listen Now
Concert Inquiries: tmar@concertartistsguild.org
Photo Credit: Ken Kubota
Chasing Crescendos — PBS Great Performances x New World Symphony
I’m honored to be featured in Chasing Crescendos, a documentary series with PBS Great Performances and the New World Symphony. This project offers a glimpse into my life as a bassoonist—from the quiet precision of reed-making to the intensity of orchestral rehearsals, along with moments from my mindfulness practice that help ground my work.
Premiering Elephant Suite for Solo Bassoon by Gabrielle Herbst at my next Faculty Artist Series concert at the University of Wisconsin. Ever since childhood, I have been fascinated by elephants—their intelligence, majesty, and expressive presence. Each movement of the work explores a different aspect of the elephant, guiding the listener across the savannas, with the bassoon imagined as a long trunk.
Info about the composer:https://www.gabrielleherbstmusic.com/
I will also be premiering High Tide for bassoon and piano by the prolific and remarkable Marc Vallon. Marc wrote this work for me in the summer of 2022, and I am deeply looking forward to bringing it to life as a way of honoring my teacher and the previous bassoon professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Recent Commissions:
Tanner Porter: Eucalyptus for bassoon, voice, and fixed media
Link to Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M42SH27OYac
Harry Castle: Sea Marble
Link to listen: https://www.youtube.com/live/UaxTqiEUMMI
Richard Brasseale: Enlaced Friendship
Link to listen: https://youtu.be/tIiO1dLLtGw?si=OwwPLN5EiWUHK2af
Lila Meretzky: Sea Glass Partita for Singing Bassoonist
Link to listen: https://youtu.be/H-yVbF9t6tg?si=f4PudIHWZSLL5CrX