'Rift' is a very special piece to me. It is about an inner dialogue, man inner struggle. I've always felt torn between many different styles of music. My journey in music first started by playing keyboards and electric bass in 70's cover bands in Western NC. At the same time I grew up singing in the choir at church, also learning flute in 6th grade. All the while, I listened to many film scores. The car was my favorite place to be. In my time at Boston Conservatory, I learned so much about new and contemporary music. Works like Lutoslawski's 3rd Symphony, which in years before would have been confusing and alien, have become exciting and gripping. I found a new side of myself that delights in the dissonances. How does it all fit together? And thus, the rift. The piece is a conversation between these seemingly different sides.