Heading home

I'm on the plane heading from Minneapolis to Phoenix. (Obviously I can't send this yet, but when I touch down this will go out.)

I'm thinking back over the last week....

First, Paul Kinney was a gracious host. I've known him via email for over 10 years now, ever since I joined the Handbell-L back in 1997. He's a very nice man & a knowledgeable musician - he has recently completed a Masters degree in Composition. In addition to my concert this week, we talked about my interest in some of his works.

My next recording project is with Bronzewood Paedeia, but after that, I want to do a CD of small ensemble pieces. It will definitely be a "studio CD" - I have no intention of forming a performing group to "tour" with the music, even though that would be awesome. Paul has some pieces that I'm very interested in recording.

I also want to commission him to write some things for solo bells with orchestra. He has a very similar musical vision to mine, so I think we're a good fit.

We chatted about the recording project for a little while on Wednesday. He showed me some sketches for some things he's writing. I am looking forward to working with him in the future!!

When I saw Stevie she said that it seems like we talk face-to-face a lot, but in reality we've only seen each other maybe 3 or 4 times. I love Stevie & had a wonderful time not only performing with her, but also just hanging out with her. She is a really neat person & I genuinely like her.

Of course I'm jealous that she gets to work with Phil Pletcher all the time - what a jewel he is!!

The retirement community gig on Friday morning was really special. I'm so very glad that Stevie invited me along to do that with her!!

I've also known Matthew Prins since he joined the -L back in 2003 or 2004. When Sonos was touring after the 2004 National Convention in Norfolk (the 50th Anniversary), we played near him in Richmond, VA (maybe even at his church?), but he wasn't able to come see us.

He wrote a piece for Bronzewood Paedeia (which we have yet to play, but it's on the list!).

Friday was the first time I ever saw him in person. He's a great guy - quite unassuming, almost shy, unlike his online persona. He was an excellent host & I had the privilege of meeting his 2 year old son Benji. Very articulate & polite, Benji benefits from the attentions of his stay-at-home dad. I wish them all the best - they deserve it!!

Saturday was a travel day for me. I met up with fellow -L'er Alice Teter - another person who I've known for years via email but had never met in person - and her friend Sally Meredith. We had a great lunch at an Irish pub in Madison, WI, and talked about handbells for over an hour, just like old friends.

Upon my arrival in Minneapolis, I discovered another "separated at birth" friend of mine (the other is Gini Rainey from East Texas). Dean Jensen & I have many interests in common & we got along famously. His wife Shereen is also a great person & I hope to spend more time with both of them in the future!! They are welcome to come visit me in the Bay Area anytime they want!

Their kids - 2-year-old Anneka & 5-year-old Andrew are also both really sweet. This morning, as Andrew was getting ready for school he said to me "I wish you could stay here all week!" That just melted my heart!

Both Anneka & Andrew are great kids - very smart & articulate - I can tell they're going to be great people & I am exited to know them as they grow up.

*This* is a large part of why I love my job! I meet so many great people in my travels. I see so many great sites sights, too, but really it's the *people* that make it special.

Whether it's Taiko in Tokyo, Emily in Hong Kong, Keith in England, Malcolm in Scotland, Antje in Germany, or any of the hundreds of people I've met in the States, it's definitely the people I meet that make all the hard work worth it.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making this so much fun!!!

-Michèle (from my mobile phone, on descent into Phoenix)