Program Note:
Growing up Black and queer, I experienced a lifetime of censoring myself. Not allowing myself to live into certain parts of my being, out of survival. Only recently have I gradually started to unlearn some of those socializations and thoughts. I took this composition as an opportunity to imagine what it would be like if I were to just strip away all the censoring and constraints. What I asked myself and what I ask the listeners: What would it be like if, in this moment, you could do and say what feels most natural to you? What would that feel like?

To the listeners, I encourage you to give yourself permission to explore and then own it.