Some years ago, I decided to pursue composing music as a primary focus over being an instrumental performer. Last year, a unique opportunity popped up for me to produce a new album – Open Creek Chronicles – featuring my mandolin and guitar work, among other instruments.
It was a really fun process that rekindled my interest in doing more mandolin recording projects.
This is spring, I came up with the idea of writing a piece for mandolin and bowed strings; a string quintet featuring mandolin, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
It came out really nice and I just kept writing and recording more in the same vein. Within a few months, I gathered enough material to release an entire album that I’m really proud of.
Releasing Monday August 31, 2026 to major streaming platforms, On The Virtues of Birds features 10 original pieces for mandolin and bowed strings. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with a stellar international cadre of string players through Musiversal.
My amazing guest collaborators on this album include:
Kimberley Durflinger – violin
Originally from San Diego, California, violinist Kimberly Durflinger is currently Principal 2nd Violin of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia, Canada. She also subs with several major North American orchestras, performs in the rock band Vaerisa, is a session musician with the company Musiversal, and teaches a select number of students privately. She lives in Victoria, BC with her Pembroke Welsh Corgi Maple. In her spare time, she can be found dancing Argentine Tango, baking pies, or catching shiny Pokémon.
Nikos Mavridis – viola
Nikos is an extraordinary violin and viola player.
For more than two decades, he has arranged strings for hundreds of tracks across virtually every style and genre.
Ben Trigg – cello
An internationally acclaimed cellist with contributions to over 100 albums, films, and TV shows, including 'Atonement'.
Has worked with Elton John, The Killers, and as musical director for Richard Ashcroft.
“The kind of musician who elevates everything he touches without ever drawing attention to himself — which is exactly what great string arranging should do.”
Caitlin Thomas – cello
As a child of two professional classical musicians, Caitlin grew up in a household where music was in every room, every piece of furniture, every particle of air.
From a young age, Caitlin was taught to embrace the culture of music as a way of life rather than simply a career, and has approached her relationship with music in this way ever since.
Daniel Chouinard – cello
Based in Boston, is the antithesis of the stereotypical string musician.
He is an accomplished improviser in several styles, learns by ear, and blends in with any type of ensemble—all while maintaining strong technical and sight-reading abilities.
He releases his own music under the moniker “Danny Sea.”
Emanuel is a Croatian cellist, recording artist, and session musician based in Zagreb. A distinguished winner of several national competitions, both as a soloist and as a member of chamber ensembles.
He now performs as a cellist with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra.
Bruno Migliari – double bass
A native of Rio de Janeiro with Italian roots, Bruno performs in the Jazz, MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), and Pop/Rock scenes.
30+ years of studio and stage experience.
Bassist for The Four Brasil, The Voice Brasil, Frejat, Simone, Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, Marcos Valle, Ana Carolina, Maria Gadú, Paulinho Moska, Lobão, and many others.
Nuno Silva – hammered dulcimer
Nuno is a multi-instrumentalist from Porto, Portugal, playing ethnic string instruments, mainly Persian santur, oud and kanun.
Since 2010 he has been embracing the tradition of makam music as his main influence. He collaborates with local and international music projects focused on diverse music genres such world, medieval, movie/game soundtracks, and pursues a solo career as session musician and producer.