WSW: When did you compose your first piece?
ML: I composed my first piece the fall of 2009 when I first started taking composition lessons. My teacher kind of just threw me in and told me to start writing a piano solo. I named it “October” because I wrote a lot of it during that month.

WSW: Do you play an instrument or sing?
ML: My instrument is percussion and one of my favorite styles of music to perform is contemporary/new music. Percussionists tend to dabble frequently in that world because of the nature and history of the instrument. I give a lot of credit to my instrument for my start in composition because of the immense exposure to new music I have received through performing and how involved percussionists and composers tend to work with each other.

WSW: What has been your biggest challenge in composing a piece?
ML: Just going with ideas, getting the flow, and concentrating seems to be some of my larger challenges. In a lot of ways, composing is like practicing any instrument or being an athlete. You have to remember how your muscles work (or in the case of composing, your brain!), set your pace, and try to be consistent in keeping up with your skills. But there also needs to be some variety or else it gets a little monotonous. Being aware of what I need to do for myself to keep going when I hit blocks is part of that groove. It all ties in.

WSW: What are some pieces that you are currently working on?
ML: Right now, I’m dabbling between a wind quintet, percussion duo, and chamber piece. We will see what gets the double bar line first! [WSWs: We hope the wind quintet does!]