In 2021 I moved back to the United States from France where I had been living for 9 years. Shortly after my relocation, I began to take a ceramics class, in a venture to create clay based musical instruments.  To my surprise, this class became more than simply a means to an end.  It was in many ways a mental refuge from the sense of great uncertainty I was feeling during this drastic life change. Time seems to stop completely in the ceramic studio.  Hours go by in the blink of an eye where you are completely engrossed in your work. 

Clay has an incredible calming quality in its various stages; the malleable tactile nature of soft clay, flowing water as you wash bisque, gently brushing on glaze....  As an impatient person by nature, clay has also been a great teacher of patience; waiting for the clay to dry properly before moving onto the next stage, waiting for it to unveil itself out of the kiln...

In an intersection between theatre and music, this Mud Meditation project features the first ceramic instruments I have made in this great experiment, including tongue drums, a keyboard, and an udu, but perhaps more importantly, is an ode to this weekly ritual of ceramic class.

Follow this blog to see the journey of creating these instruments!!!

Check out the sound clips and video below to hear these instruments in action!