I was fortunate to work with Corigliano for a few years in the mid nineties. Meeting and working with him during those formative years was an important experience.

Part of what makes music so interesting is the lack of consensus on just about any given topic.

While I believe there is certainly a phenomenon of timelessness in art, the people writing today can comment on today in an exclusive manner.

If people want insights, if they want to swim in the currents of their own time and share the experiences of their time, then it makes sense to engage with the artists of one's own time.

I don't think performance out of duty yields very much. Coercion is never the way to go.

My own goals center around writing the best music that I can, and only I can determine whether or not I've succeeded in accomplishing that.

Just as all pop music is not simplistic, not all contemporary concert music is complex. Often what a person connects with goes much deeper than generalized issues of simplicity and complexity.

Many critics have become de facto teachers. That is a lot of responsibility, and I think it should be wielded with care. Most people appreciate sincere guidance.

The best critics leave the reader curious to pursue something further, but still to let the reader have his or her own honest, unique opinion.

Mazur was a remarkable artist. During our time in Rome we became friends. I would often perform my works for him at the piano.

A healthy dialogue is always good.

I'm too young, too smart and too good-looking to die.

Do you want to know something about tyrants? When faced with death, they weep and they beg just like the rest of us.

My body is like a Temple in Nepal. It is sacred, but has a lot of damage from the earthquake of my youth!

I feel like I'm always going to be me. It always goes back to being the person that I am. And I hope that will never change.

We live by encouragement and die without it - slowly, sadly and angrily.

Sometimes I felt I got caught up kind of going into the clubhouse non-chalantly sometimes, because all of the other guys in the clubhouse didn't go there with one goal in mind.

I think I've been able to fool a lot of people because I know I'm a dork. I'm a geek.

Recognize your victories.

High achievers dwell on what they do well and spend very little time evaluating themselves and their performances.

Spirituality is worthless if it's not practical. Music is my work. I am a musician.