What emotional or spiritual experiences led you to create Untethered Heart, and how did those experiences shape the overall tone and message of the album?
All my music is autobiographical.  In some ways a lifetime of emotional/spiritual experiences shaped my latest project.  My music is always an expression of where I’m at emotionally and spiritually at the time.  I’ve been working on freeing myself from old patterns and healing childhood and adult wounds my whole life.   I feel I’ve made significant progress throughout my life, especially over the last 5 years and specifically over the last 2 years.  This album symbolizes having finally gotten to the other side and worked through many of those attachments and wounds.

In blending solo piano with orchestral strings, how did you approach balancing intimacy with cinematic expansiveness? Was there a guiding philosophy behind the arrangements?
No guiding philosophy.  I just trusted my instincts and in the end was very honest with myself.  I had recorded strings on all the songs on this album, but in the mixing process I realized that they didn’t always add to the emotional and musical impact of some of the songs, so I took them off most of the songs and just left them on the songs where they really were an asset.

Having released over 70 albums and earned numerous accolades, what feels different or significant about Untethered Heart? Does it reflect a turning point in how you view your music or your role as an artist?
No.  My role as an artist has always been to be as genuine, raw and transparent with my work as possible which comes from being genuine, raw and transparent with my Self.  That’s always been my path . . . the most true and genuine expression I can offer.

Your body of work spans film scores, Broadway productions, and global performances. How do these diverse experiences influence the way you compose for solo piano? Do elements from those worlds ever surface unexpectedly in your creative process?

I don’t separate out my work in different genres.  It all comes from the same source.  And yes, sometimes my work sounds like it could be in a film or on broadway or a yoga studio or Breathwork class.  But that’s just me being present in the moment.  My creative process if mostly intuitive.


The phrase “untethered heart” suggests both vulnerability and strength. How do you personally navigate that space in your life, and how is it reflected musically throughout the album?
Vulnerability is a strength.  I navigate and nurture that strength by being as true and honest with my Self and my work as possible.  I like to take deep dives into my Self, both somatically and psychologically.    And what I learn about myself or heal within myself is reflected in whatever project I’m working on.

As someone recognized for both musical excellence and humanitarian efforts, do you feel a responsibility to infuse your work with a deeper purpose or message? If so, how does that manifest in this release?

That’s quite a compliment, thank you.  I care deeply about whatever I do or undertake and I put 100% of myself into it.  And I naturally care about the Earth and all life and am grateful for this life and want to nurture its well-being.  That’s the only “responsibility” that I feel.  To give whatever I’m involved with my best care and effort.

Many people turn to your music for healing, clarity, or meditation. Do you think about that listener experience while composing, or is the process more internally driven?
I believe that if I’m resonating with clarity or nurturing my own healing or sitting in my own inner peace, then that will resonate and be felt by the listener.  It’s not that I necessarily have the listener in mind when I’m composing or recording, it’s that I have faith that whatever I’m feeling and transmitting will be felt through the music.

With so much rapid consumption in the digital age, what role do you believe slow, intentional music like yours plays in people’s emotional or spiritual well-being today?
I think it’s important for people (myself included) to slow down and focus on self care and self inquiry rather than distraction and consumption.  I personally need several hours a day, every day, to focus within, somatically, physically, emotionally and spiritually to be able to move through my day and life with presence and authenticity.   This is extremely important to me and I’ve learned to prioritize that.  It’s essential for nurturing greater love and compassion for Self and the World.

Looking ahead, are there new creative territories or emotional landscapes you feel drawn to explore next, either within or beyond the solo piano format?
Currently, I feel like I’m beginning a new chapter in my life.  I’m entering it with a very clean slate, meaning I’ve completed all projects and inspirations that I’ve initiated over the last couple years.  I’m excited to move into and explore this new chapter of new creative territories and it will probably be beyond the solo piano format.  I intuitively feel it’ll be a great integration of many aspects of myself and I’m curious to see how it expresses itself.  Again, I’m loyal to my Muse, which has always given very clear guidance to my life and creative process.