Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

-Mary Elizabeth Frye, 1932

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Mary Elizabeth Frye's beautiful poem has provided solace and comfort for generations across the world.  Translated into various languages, this poem has traveled a long way from its origins as a text written to comfort a grieving friend. No matter its storied history, it remains a timeless source of peace.

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I was personally drawn to Frye's vivid imagery. The various depictions of nature inspired me to compose a ragamalika: a garland of ragas, the emotive scales of Indian classical music. Above all, the quiet elegance of her text conveys a message of hope that I aspired to capture musically.

Winner of the Inversion Ensemble Competition, USA, 2021

Winner of the Vox Nova Chorale Competition, USA, 2016

Featured on Regional Spotlight, MPR, USA, 2016