


When I began composing A Wayward Leaf, it wasn’t about a leaf at all but rather a goldfinch. On a sunny day in June, I was walking through a forest preserve when I spotted a sprite, flittering, silly little goldfinch crossing my path in front of me. He bounced and undulated through the air with flamboyant bravado, and his golden feathers offered an entertaining counterpoint to the brilliant blue sky behind him. I was mesmerized and thought, most assuredly, I would write a piece inspired by him.
A year later, I composed a melody that skipped and bobbled just like that little goldfinch. However, as my writing progressed, the character of the piece slowly changed. Is this really about a goldfinch or is it about something else entirely? I sent the piece to Phil Erklen who showed it to a music student. She offered a title for the piece: A Wayward Leaf. How strange is it that a title so unrelated to the initial inspiration would fit so well? Perhaps a leaf, with its own windswept flight pattern, embodies the memory of the goldfinch perfectly. So, the name stuck.
Thanks to Ed Penner for painting the incredible artwork to go along with it. This piece would be incomplete without your contribution.
I dedicate this piece to my dear friend Herman White for his unconditional love of music and his endless support of its creation. Thank you, Herman, for always being there in the audience, smiling away. This one’s for you.










Piano solos included in this collection:
- Full Moon Rising
- Jack-O-Lantern Waltz
- Witches on Brooms
- Bats in the Belfry
- Skulls and Bones
- Black Cat Scamper
- Whispering Ghosts
- Haunted House

The final piece I wrote, titled “Path of the Wisps” or "Path of Shining Lights" is a tribute to Phil, and to the way he has guided so many young people in their pursuit of musical dreams. Not only has he nurtured some incredible talent, but he has always met his students with a smiling face and brought so much joy into their lives. This song is specially dedicated to Phil to symbolize the unique impact he has had on so many.
Piano solos included in this collection:
- The Faerie
- Path of the Wisps
- The Troll Under the Bridge
- The Gnomes' Inn
- Wizards
- Pixies
- The Ogre
- The Unicorn
- Den of the Dragon
Enchanted Forest Theme ( Composed and orchestrated by Kristen Personious)
The Faerie
Path of the Wisps
The Troll Under the Bridge
The Gnomes' Inn
Wizards
Pixies
The Ogre
The Unicorn
Den of the Dragon






As for our grandson, Paxton, he is not of royal birth. But if he were – would he be raised differently from a “normal” child? An intriguing question!

Piano solos included in this collection:
- Accordion in Paris
- The Highlands
- Sacred Lotus
- English Manor
- Balalaika
- Alpine Yodeler
- Bayou Blues
- Island Marimba
- Venetian Gondola Song
- Turkish Belly Dancer
- Spanish Castanets
- Machu Picchu






Piano solos included in this collection:
- Starlight Stories
- Rhythms of the Jungle
- Zipline!
- Pink Island
- Howlers in the Wind
Starlight Stories
Rhythms of the Jungle
Zipline!
Pink Island
Howlers in the Wind






SUNDAY MORNING FIRE:
The main Victorian living room at Columns By The Sea houses a large gas fireplace, ready and willing for guests to enjoy. I was inspired many times, due to the combination of winter weather and fire, to go to the small grand piano nearby and compose. Such was the case with Sunday Morning Fire. The opening prelude was written while waiting for one of Bernadette's (the innkeeper) weekend gourmet breakfasts.
LATE NIGHT EMBERS:
This is another fire, another time, with a very small glass of sherry or port. It is another evening after writing all day and basking in the quietness of the sea and the inn.

Sunrise is a piece composed after being inspired by the radiant sunrises in Colorado. I remember sitting at my piano watching the golden sunrise illuminate the sky. I wanted to capture this picturesque scene in a composition and as a result, Sunrise was composed. The first section of the piece reflects the soft light that appears before the sun fully rises. As the song progresses the light becomes brighter and this is reflected in the energy and dynamics of Sunrise. In the middle section of the piece the dynamics become softer to symbolize the different colors shifting and changing in the morning sky. The last section of Sunrise carries a high energy and boldness to reflect the sun fully emerging into the sky.
