In May, I joined the Trinity Church of Austin as a piano accompanist. Trinity's motto is "No matter who you are, who you love, or what you believe, you are welcome here." Trinity is a member of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. The people at Trinity are very nice and I'm happy to be making music there. For more informtion about Trinity, visit www.trinitychurchofaustin.org.

Other performances in May included a recital with the voice students of Rebekah Staley; accompanying at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest; accompanying for the Cedar Ridge High School Concerto Competition; and appearing with singers Brittney Benavidez and Ashten Falter at the Black Sugar Caffe in Georgetown. Ashten, Brittney, and I have another performance coming up: Friday June 10 at 6-8pm, at the Black Sugar Caffe in Cedar Park.

I recently interviewed my friend Christopher Carlone, a band teacher and composer in Sherman, Connecticut. This was a great conversation. Chris is a very talented teacher, and a wonderful musician with a big heart. I strongly recommend this conversation for anybody entering a creative field. To read this interview, go to www.bentibbetts.net/chriscarlone

May was a lot more relaxed than April. I had a lot less going on. It felt good to take some time off and brainstorm projects for later this year.

I'm looking into doing a benefit concert in December with the local charity Thrift-ish, which donates clothes to homeless people.

I'm participating in a violin concert in July with my friends Graham Yates, Keith Allegretti, Brittney Benavidez, and Carol Brown.

Also with Graham and Karl Logue, another local composer and pianist, I'm performing a four hands concert in October.

I'm continuing to build my teaching studio at Timbral Music Studios in Round Rock. I'm hoping to gain more students there over time, and to continue serving the community in that way while supporting myself financially. For more information about Timbral Music Studios, visit www.timbralmusic.studio.

As always, thank you for your support and interest in my music. Take care.