“The inspiration is the aurora australis (Southern Lights) found by the south pole. I just find both the aurora borealis and the aurora australis so beautiful. It’s so jaw dropping seeing photos of the event taking place. I just can’t believe the beauty it has. The story of this piece itself was forged as I was writing it. A lone traveler, walking across the barren Antarctic land, is trying to see Aurora Australis for theirself. They have been searching for hours and hours, when they see something in the distance, and they run towards it. But, they realize it’s not what they’re looking for, and they become defeated. They cry out due to the depression they feel taking over them, when suddenly, a burst of light crosses the sky. They weren’t sure what it was. Then more emerge. When finally, the sky lights up completely, the traveler is met with the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen. And when the lights fade away, they begin returning home. The piece itself contains a lot of beautiful elements that capture the essence of the aurora australis. It has two wonderful solos and it’s a piece that’s very near-and-dear to my heart. I hope you enjoy it!”