When my teacher and mentor, Dr. Byron Jones, and I originally selected the repertoire for this recital, the choices emerged organically, guided primarily by the technical and musical goals for my instrument. As I spent time with the program, however, I began to notice an unexpected and compelling connection among the works: each piece explores a different facet of love.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, this discovery inspired the title of today’s program, Tell Me the Truth About Love, borrowed from the opening song of Benjamin Britten’s Cabaret Songs set. Together, these selections invite the listener to reflect on love in its many forms.

As always, this is a case of life imitating art and art imitating life. As a Stanislavski method–trained actor, being rooted in truth onstage is my ultimate priority as a performer. Yet this program asks a deeper question: what about love? Is everything we do in this world ultimately driven by love, or by the absence of it?

Today I invite the listener to join me in the search for answers.