Raised in Huntington, West Virginia, much of his work stems from a “fascination, love and respect for the people” of Appalachia (Soapbox), including his oratorio State, premiered by singer Kate Wakefield, Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir—MUSE, and a percussion ensemble in April 2016, and his monodrama, Dust in the Bottomland—set in present-day West Virginia and sung by lyric bass Andrew Munn—which has been performed 12 times in seven states and broadcast on radio and television. Large-scale collaborations include the world-touring work Spiral by choreographer/dancer Wanjiru Kamuyu and Kalahari Waits, the debut album of indigenous poetry and music trio Khoi Khonnexion, produced during a year in South Africa.