Nay’s News April 2026
Subscribe to “Nay’s News” to get these updates emailed to you every month!
With April here, spring feels alive in every moment. I’ve been welcoming the lengthening sunshine and finding new flowers in bloom on the daily. It’s easily my favorite time of year. What season do you love most?
Many things to share with you… and thank you for your interest and connection to my music.
FEATURED SCORE
Saving Mother Earth, written by my dear friend Steven Craig Goodwin, honors his life and passions. He passed away recently from early-onset Alzheimer’s. I spent many days by his side near the end, singing with his family as he prepared to take flight into the next realm. Though he is no longer physically with us, his spirit continues to live on through his music. To learn more about our journey to preserve his compositions, check out our features on CBS Sunday Morning and Oregonian.
I created this two-part SA easy choral arrangement so that Steven’s message of environmental stewardship can continue to resonate through voices joined in harmony. It’s a beautiful choice for concerts centered on caring for our planet, rich with imagery of plants and animals.
With Steven at the piano, 2018
UPCOMING SHOWS
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Full Bloom Gala - Benefiting Portland Sage Singers
Hosted by the spectacular Nana Tuckit, I’m excited to be part of this garden of delights, performing alongside Dru Rutledge, Luigi Boccia, and Bobby Jo Valentine.
Curious Comedy Theater: 5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Uncorked: Piano, Poems and Songs
I’m teaming up with poet/singer-songwriter Beth Wood for an intimate afternoon of piano, poetry, and songs among the vines at Festive Hill Winery. We’d love to see you there!
Festive Hill Winery: 20100 SW Johnson Road, West Linn OR, 97068
Saturday & Sunday, April 25 & 26, 2026
Oregon Repertory Singers - Brahms Requiem
This massive piece by Brahms has completely captured my heart! We are performing it with 2 pianos and timpani… and yes, I get to be at one of the pianos. It’s a glorious thing to experience.
First United Methodist Church: 1838 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Science on Tap / Dementia Research: The Long and Winding Road
Presented in honor and memory of composer Steven Craig Goodwin, I’ll join Dr. Larry Sherman for some music and science about dementia research.
Aladdin Theatre: 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202
RECENT ADVENTURES
NORTHWEST ACDA
Last month’s Northwest ACDA conference in Tacoma, WA was filled with gorgeous concerts and presentations, and I felt so grateful to have my choral music included in several meaningful ways.
Some big thank yous…
…to Dr. Ethan Sperry and Portland State University Chamber Choir for performing my piece Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence in the opening concert, and including me at the piano for it!
…to Director Cole Haole-Valenzuela and the West Salem High School Choir of the Titans for their incredible performance of my piece Summer Solstice in their set. It’s not an easy piece, and I was so impressed!
(Summer Solstice is currently unpublished, please reach out if you are interested in programming it, and I can let you know as soon as it becomes available)
…to Director Aubrey Patterson for having my piece Racing the Moon in her reading session. These sessions basically sell a piece to a room full of conductors, which is awesome! Added bonus, the poet for the piece - my daughter Luci - was there to sing the solo.
…to composer David Dickau for including me, alongside Joan Syzmko, Reg Unterseher and Steve Danielson for an interest session called the Music of NW ACDA Composers. We all had the opportunity to present and showcase a piece (I shared Night of Silence) and there was a last-minute addition: world-renowned composer Eriks Esenvalds joined us for a meet-and-greet!
BRAVE LIGHT WORLD PREMIERE
The Oregon City High School Master Choir gave a beautiful premiere of my newest composition, Brave Light. I am so grateful to Director Julia Voorhies for commissioning this piece in memory of Anna Wessell, a dear friend and accompanist to the choir. It was a true honor to help sustain and share Anna’s bravery and light, keeping her spirit present in the world through this music.
(Brave Light is currently unpublished, please reach out if you are interested in programming it, and I can let you know as soon as it becomes available)
SONG SUFFRAGETTES PNW - A sold out show!
What a blast it was to celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8) alongside the talents of LaRhonda Steele, Rachel Brashear, Leah Hinchcliff and the Cider Janes. This was our 2nd annual Song Suffragettes PNW at the Kennedy School, and we hope to keep it going every year!
Thank you for being part of this musical journey. Sending love, gratitude, and springtime hope, like fresh flowers in bloom. Hope to see you out there at a show!
Warmly,
Naomi (Nay)
PS - The other day I photographed literally 16 different plants around my house with their April colors on display. I love living in the Pacific NW. Happy Spring!
