[img]541|left|Carter Dewberry||no_popup[/img]Thankfully, I don’t think any bones are broken.
For the first hour after I felt — more than heard — the “crack!” of the weighted piece of glass sear through my sandal and connect sharply with the base of my toes just before noon today, I wasn’t so sure.
Eight hours later, still confined to my couch, left leg elevated, foot draped in ice, I am antsy. I keep wondering which piece Ryan will begin with in a few minutes.
Usually, I have no problem spending a quiet Saturday night at home alone. I enjoy preparing elaborate meals, experimenting with techniques on my cello, digging into an inspiring book, and combing iTunes and MySpace for new music.
Tonight is different. I want to be at Ryan’s CD release party. I really don’t need to go for the music; I have heard him play hundreds of times in the seven years we have played together. I want to be there to support, celebrate, and congratulate him on the release of his debut solo album. This is a huge deal for him – and for me as his friend.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t make much sense for me to go. Not being able to drive, I thought about hiring a cab and dropping a few hundred dollars on the O.C. -> L.A. commute. (All the friends I called already had plans for the evening.) I could also take a bunch of Advil, wrap an ice pack around my foot, and just muscle through the discomfort.
If I chose one of these options, however, I would be going to the party as the resident drama queen, not as a friend ready to support. As such, I’m getting creative and decided to type this essay while I knew he would be playing.
About Ryan Zwahlen
The first time Ryan and I played together was for a Definiens concert in the spring of 2002. He was a last-minute substitute for another oboist who developed pneumonia the week prior to the event. I had heard his name around the halls of UCLA, but we had never really met.
I witnessed his love and enthusiasm for chamber music during that concert. Ever since then, we have worked together to develop the Definiens Project, a non-profit chamber music group that strives to bring chamber music to new audiences. Each year I was Executive Director, he continued to step up more and more in helping with concert production, grant writing and general moral support.
Last summer, when I needed a break from the 20-30 hour/week Executive Director commitment, he agreed to be my successor. (I am still involved with the group as its Board President and sometimes-cellist.)
My parting gift was securing funding from L.A. County to build the infrastructure of the organization. In the last year, Ryan has taken this opportunity and has begun building a team that will bring Definiens powerfully into the coming decade.
At the same time Ryan assumed these responsibilities, he also set for himself the personal goal of producing a solo album. Here he is a year later, mission accomplished!
An Inspiration
Ryan truly is an inspiration to me. Over the time I have known him, I am often impressed by his steadfast determination and consistent actions that continue to create new performance possibilities for himself, our musician friends and colleagues, and living composers from around the world.
His album, titled “In the City At Night,” showcases the English Horn in many lights, from the expressive to the virtuosic to the humorous. (It is an English Horn, after all…) I am proud owner of a copy, and I will be buying more the next time I see him. As much as for the beautiful wind tones, I am happy to have a concrete way to support such a visionary and dedicated artist.
Ryan is probably done with his performance by now. And with the conclusion of this piece, I see the gift that has risen out of my own adversity. While I still wish I had been there tonight, I am thankful that feeling upset and guilty stirred me to express what I have never before taken the time to put into words.
As such, I will trust that the concert was a success and look forward to the next chapter!
More Info
By the way, if you are wondering what an English Horn sounds like, you are in luck. Ryan has clips (and a way for you to buy the CD) on his website – www.ryanzwahlen.com. I encourage you to check it out. If you haven’t heard about the great stuff he is doing with The Definiens Project, visit www.definiens.org
Ms. Dewberry, an accomplished cellist, completed her DMA in Chamber Music Performance from UCLA in December 2005. She received her MM in Cello Performance from UCLA in June 2002 and her B.M. in Cello Performance from Western Michigan University in April 1998. She also holds a B.A. in French with a minor in Women's Studies and Philosophy.
Ms. Dewberry is celebrating the release of her new album, “Origins.”
Her website is www.carterdewberry.com
She may be contacted at carter@carterdewberry.com
