Per National Geographic, “A caldera is a large depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses.” With this piece, I wanted create a soundscape that captured the life cycle of a caldera - In particular, I was captivated by the majesty of the expansive Yellowstone Caldera, having formed as a result of several explosive eruptions over millions of years.

In January 2026, “Caldera” was announced as a winner of JMU’s New Music for Orchestra Competition. JMU’s Symphony Orchestra will premiere the piece on Sunday, April 26th, 2026.