One of the highlights of this spring was returning to my home state of Montana to perform in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville with the Helena Symphony Orchestra.

Rather than appearing as a soloist, I had the opportunity to step into the world of opera as the featured onstage guitarist during Count Almaviva’s serenade, Se il mio nome saper voi bramate. It was a role unlike anything I’d done before. Instead of tuning out everything around me, I had to become part of the action, responding to the singers and the drama unfolding on stage while maintaining the precision the music demands.

It was both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Working alongside such a talented cast made the experience even more enjoyable. I’m especially grateful to Music Director Allan R. Scott, Principal Flute and Director of Artistic Planning Tiana Grisé, the Helena Symphony Orchestra, tenor Andrew Morstein, and baritone Gabriel Preisser, whose performances and generosity made the production such a pleasure to be part of.

Rehearsing the Barber of Sevilla

Of course, no trip to Helena would have been complete without spending some time exploring one of my favorite parts of Montana. One morning I hiked to the summit of Mount Helena, following the 1906 Trail before descending the Powerline Trail. Along the way I stopped at Devil’s Kitchen and was reminded why I always look forward to being back in Big Sky Country. The views from the mountain never disappoint.

I also made time for another favorite pastime: browsing local record stores. Aunt Bonnie’s Books & Gifts turned out to be a treasure trove, and I came home with several interesting additions to my collection. Hunting for records has become one of my favorite ways to experience a place while traveling.



The trip was a wonderful reminder of why I enjoy performing in so many different settings. Every project brings new musical challenges, new colleagues, and new places to explore. I’m grateful to everyone in Helena for the warm welcome and hope our paths cross again soon.