“Some musical experiences mark us forever. Mine began in college, at a performance by the Louisville Orchestra under the baton of Lawrence Leighton Smith. The program featured Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the great André Watts at the keyboard. By sheer chance, I found myself in the front row—so close I was nearly beneath the grand piano.

From the first solemn chords, the music took hold of me. Rachmaninoff’s sweeping phrases, so full of longing and grandeur, seemed to rise up from the floor itself. Watts was electrifying. His control, nuance, and sheer power were matched by the deep emotional resonance he drew from every measure. Being that close, I didn’t just hear the music—I felt it in my bones. I could see the flex of Watts’ hands, the subtle communication between him and the conductor, the breath before a new phrase began.

Lawrence Leighton Smith shaped the orchestra with extraordinary sensitivity, allowing the dialogue between soloist and ensemble to unfold with natural elegance. It was a masterclass in musical collaboration. That night, something shifted. I didn’t leave the concert hall merely inspired—I left transformed. For the first time, I understood the visceral power of live performance. Music was no longer an abstract pursuit; it was immediate, human, and essential. Sitting in that seat, under that piano, I knew with certainty: this is where I belong—this is what I want to do.”