Puerto Rico’s “El Yunque National Forest,” filled with mesmerizing layers of foliage and humming with life, was the heart of my inspiration for "In the Canopy," a piece composed for classical guitar trio. Hiking beneath an umbrella of greenery and tuning my ears to the many songs swirling around me was a most remarkable symphony of life–something that I will never forget. The interplay of sunlight filtering through the waving branches reminded me of the gestures of a grand conductor. The rhythmic calls of coquí frogs were a percussive metronome, sharply reminding everyone that there was a tempo.  Short chirpy bird and insect bursts paired with legato screech owl calls took the melody while the rustling winds accompanied everyone.

This symphony evoked a sense of harmony and complexity, which I sought to translate into music. Each part in the trio reflects a different element of the forest: the grounding roots, the soaring treetops, and the lively creatures that fill it with music. Together, they weave a melody that echoes the symphony of life found in this most remarkable natural sanctuary.